A £500M vision to dramatically boost walking and cycling across the North East has been unveiled – and the plans include the creation of a cycling 'superhighway' running between Newcastle and Carlisle.
Transport chiefs have revealed their strategy to increase the number of short, active journeys in the North East by 45 per cent by 2035.
It is thought that achieving the goal could prevent 1,000 premature deaths over the next 12 years, save 80,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, and swell the region’s economy by £350m every year.
Proposals to hit the ambitious target were presented to council leaders last week and feature half a billion pounds worth of infrastructure improvements designed to make it easier for people to give up their cars.
Other measures which are part of the travel strategy, most of which are not funded at this stage, include a new bike hire scheme across the region and demolishing the Gateshead flyover.
Improved new walking and cycle routes across the region, including in Haltwhistle, Hexham, Prudhoe and Ponteland, are also planned.
The North East Joint Transport Committee (JTC) agreed to progress the draft North East Active Travel Strategy to public consultation in the new year.
Hexham MP Guy Opperman had proposed the cycling superhighway, which is likely to be delivered in phases, and has been campaigning for the project to go ahead.
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John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle, also backed the plans and said he is "delighted" to see its inclusion in the travel strategy.
He said: "Providing the infrastructure and conditions to encourage more people to walk and cycle is key. Walking and cycling are the least carbon-intensive ways to travel.
"We are lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world and schemes like this will make roads quieter, safer and more attractive for people, residents and tourists, to walk and cycle.
"This would benefit local economies as well as people's health."
Consultation on the North East Active Travel Strategy will run from January 4, 2023 until midnight on March 5, 2023.
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