Businesses to get help for cycle lane disruption
TYNEMOUTH businesses could potentially claim support for suffering disruption caused by a cycle lane.
North Tyneside Council has agreed to explore supporting the businesses which can prove a loss in trade due to the ongoing infrastructure works.
Councillors have signed off a commitment to support businesses in the town which can demonstrate a direct negative impact from disruption caused by the creation of a oneway system and a cycle path. The local authority has provided similar support to businesses at the Fish Quay affected by the construction of the North Shields embankment walkway with reduced business rates.
Deputy mayor Carl Johnson also stated that the council will look into other support packages suggested by local Conservatives, though these have not yet been costed.
The deputy mayor said that while acknowledging “disruption” to traffic, footfall had been unaffected, according to council figures.
Other potential measures include suspending parking charges in the area and financial support for public transport costs to encourage travel to Tynemouth and mitigate traffic congestion.
Coun Johnson said: “We are always happy to support any business that can evidence that they’ve taken losses, and we always would have done.
“We accept there has been some disruption to residents and business, we do maintain footfall and car parking is at the same level, but we will take a look at supporting businesses in Tynemouth as we would in any other part of the borough.”
Mayor Dame Norma Redfearn added: “I would like to support that,
I think it is important that we listen to people at the end of the day, we always have done and continue to do that. If it is evidenced that people have suffered it is incumbent upon us to do something about that.”
The cycle lane, stretching from Whitley Bay to North Shields, has proved controversial, with Tynemouth councillor Lewis Bartoli dubbing the scheme “hare-brained” in October. However, the lane was backed by more than 50 local doctors and NHS staff in a letter to the council in February 2023.
The medical professionals supported the cycle lane on health and environmental grounds.