NEARLY £15 million will be pumped into improving cycling and walking infrastructure in Northumberland.

Hexham and Bedlington will both receive a share of £14,712,547 in funding to build new, high-quality cycling and pedestrian lanes.

It comes as part of the Government's flagship Levelling Up Fund (LUF) which aims to create jobs, boost economic growth and restore people's pride in where they live. The scheme also aims to spread opportunities more equally.

READ MORE: https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/20026177.local-cycling-walking-infrastructure-plans-northumberland/

An active travel link will be created between Hexham train station and Corbridge, improving local connections and facilitating trips between the two places. 

The proposed route would largely follow the A695 between the two towns' rail stations to provide better and greener routes to work, transport hubs and tourist attractions.

The estimated cost of the Hexham to Corbridge scheme is £8,997,000.

Northumberland County Council leader, Glen Sanderson, said: "This is incredibly good news for the county and especially communities in Bedlington and Tynedale.

“The benefits of using our cars less where we can and taking more sustainable transport, are well known to us all, and this is exactly the kind of investment which will make a real difference.

“A considerable amount of work was carried out to develop a suite of Local Cycling and Walking Plans for the county and we're delighted these two schemes were successful in securing Levelling Up funding."

MP Guy Opperman also hailed the scheme, thanking the authority and councillors Nick Oliver, for Corbridge, and Trevor Cessford, for Hexham.

Cllr Oliver said: "I have been championing an off-road cycling and walking link between Corbridge and Hexham for several years and I’m delighted that the Government has recognised the merits of this project and is backing it.

"A safe off-road route will allow people to commute to work or go to school without getting in a car – reducing emissions and keeping fit.

"Most Corbridge Middle School pupils go on to the high school in Hexham. There are also enormous tourism benefits. I’m really excited to see it built."

Cllr Cessford added: “On the back of the £38m spent on new Queen Elizabeth High School facilities, this is welcome news for Hexham.

"Hexham is a major destination on the National Cycleway Route 72 and the stretch between Hexham and Corbridge is not great, so this will be a major upgrade.

"Our town’s tourism economy will see massive benefits from this project as people cycle and walk coast to coast.

"As a former teacher, I’m only too aware that children who exercise concentrate better at school, so I hope that those that can, will use this new facility.”

Elsewhere in the North East, £20 million will go towards the regeneration of Gateshead Quays and the Sage to build a new arena, exhibition centre, hotels, bars, restaurants and walkway.

The North East Combined Authority will also receive nearly £20 million to buy more than 50 new electric buses, providing more than 3,000 seats for passengers, and improving air quality and congestion while also supporting businesses in the region.