Modal split data was not obtained for the city of Gateshead, however it was available for the Tyne and Wear metropolitan area of which Gateshead is a part. According to data from the 2002 Labor Force Survey, the split in Tyne and Wear was 4 percent for heavy rail, 3 percent for light rail, 16 percent for busses, 68 percent for cars, 9 percent for walking and nothing for bicycle.
Gateshead’s strategic approach to transport management is currently defined by the Tyne and Wear Local Transport Plan 2006-2011, which was prepared by the Borough of Gateshead and four neighbouring local authorities. Its main objectives are:
• maintaining and improving levels of personal accessibility and linkages within, between and beyond the boundaries of Tyne and Wear;
• ensuring transport systems, especially public transport networks, are safe, secure and free from the fear of crime whilst reducing the incidence and severity of transport-related accidents and casualties;
• tackling transport inefficiency arising from excessive demands and operational constraints on transport systems by delivering sustainable measures to combat congestion; and
• reducing the adverse impacts of transport on our environment, especially with regard to air quality, noise and its contribution to climate change and resource consumption.
Major accomplishments as detailed in a 2008 progress report on Tyne and Wear’s Local Transport Plan included:
• construction of showpiece new bus station for Eldon Square;
• construction of a new metro station at Simonside;
• opening of the Felling Bypass bus lane in Gateshead;
• reconstruction of a bus station at Washington Galleries; and the
• launch of North Tyneside’s “Cobalt Clipper” bus service.
Partnerships are key to transport development in the area. The Local Transport Plan itself is the product of a well-established partnership of the local authorities of the Tyne and Wear area -- South Tyneside, North Tyneside, City of Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead and the City of Sunderland - and the Passenger Transport Executive, Nexus. These partners work with key stakeholders in health, education, and employment services to plan and implement the transport package.
Summary finalized: July 2010
