Residents in North Tyneside are benefitting from an ambitious multi-million pound programme of investment that has improved the borough with regeneration, housing, schools, roads and community schemes.
An end of year report to the Cabinet by the Investment Programme Board states that during the past year, North Tyneside Council has invested almost £66million in major projects.
So far this has included more than £27million allocated for housing improvements and new build; over £14.8million for regeneration; over £9.7million for Highways and Infrastructure and almost £6million for Education/Schools. A further £10million has funded other capital projects including Disabled Facilities and Warmzone grants.
Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn said: “We’ve been very clear with our residents thatdespite the very difficult financial challenges we face, it is important that we ensure that the Council delivers upon the commitments it has made to our residents and that we continue to build on our long-term investments to improve the lives, and life chances, of young and old alike.
“Our capital investment programme is designed to build for the future and to do the very best we can with the money available. The programme for 2015/2016 has resulted in major improvements to schools, new homes especially for our older residents, major regeneration of the coast, riverside and town centres as well as improvements to our road network.”
Key projects have included:
· Regeneration: North Shields Fish Quay, Swans and Whitley Bay
· Housing: over 500 affordable homes delivered, 12 retirement complexes, disabled adaptations to support independent living, kitchen, bathroom and roof replacements
· Industrial units brought back into use
· Schools: 33 projects including roof and window renewals, heating and drainage improvements, asbestos removal, electrical rewires and replacement of outdated mobile school buildings
· Highways: Improvements to junctions to help traffic flow, new footpaths and cycle routes, improvements to condition of roads.
Many other projects are currently in progress and due for completion later this year. These include:
· Major improvements to Souter Park including landscaping, new footpaths and seating
· North Tyneside Warm Zone
· Whitley Bay regeneration including Watts Slope access and toilet refurbishment
· Wallsend Town Centre regeneration with new supermarket and drive-thru restaurant
· Swans redevelopment including Centre for Innovation
· Coast Road improvements
· Almost £5million of Housing Revenue Account invested in new affordable homes.