New car park keeps Metro users on track

Nov 18 2008 by Francesca Craggs, The Journal

METRO’S newest multi-storey car park is to open on December 1, Nexus announced recently. The 400-space park-and-ride at Northumberland Park is ideally situated to attract drivers from the congested A19 and A186 roads in North Tyneside.

Nexus, which owns, manages and is modernising Metro, expects the new car park to be popular with commuters from Whitley Bay, Monkseaton and south east Northumberland.

It is aimed at reducing car dependency by allowing commuters to make shorter car journeys from home, then reach their destination by public transport.

From Northumberland Park Metro station, Newcastle city centre is just 18 minutes’ away, while frequent Route 19 buses follow a priority route to Cobalt and Silverlink business parks and Silverlink retail park.

Commuters can also benefit from new shops built round the station, including a Sainsbury’s superstore right next door. Up to 10 Metro trains an hour connect the station with the centre of Newcastle at peak times, with 4-5 an hour at all times to Whitley Bay and the coast.

Bernard Garner, director general of Nexus, said: “Northumberland Park is designed with busy modern lives in mind. Park-and-ride gives easy access to Newcastle city centre and there are shops close to the station. Christmas is a great time for people to try out the car park to take the stress out of commuting and shopping.

“More than 1.5 million passengers have used Northumberland Park Metro since it opened three years ago, and this excellent new car park literally takes the station to a new level.”

Northumberland Park Metro lies at the heart of a growing residential area, with 1,500 homes within walking distance, a supermarket and local shops opened this autumn next door.

It was the 59th station on Metro when it opened in December 2005 as part of the Stephenson Link plan to stimulate economic regeneration on both sides of the Tyne along the A19 corridor.

The car park was built by Northumberland Estates and will be leased by Nexus. It will be open whenever Metro trains are running and is protected by CCTV security systems.

Funding for the £5.8m station project was provided by Northumberland Estates (£3.35m), Bellway Homes (£1.6m) and the Local Transport Plan (£800,000).

Nexus is now seeking planning permission to complete a priority bus road, speeding journeys from the station to Cobalt and Silverlink business parks