Conference centre idea for arena site

Mar 10 2008 by Graeme King, The Journal

A REGIONAL conference centre for Newcastle has taken a major step forward with a study recommending it should be built on the site of the Metro Radio Arena and surrounding land.

Research commissioned by Newcastle City Council and the land owners of the “Forth Yard” site has concluded it would suit a convention centre.

And the work by consultant Nathanial Lichfield has recommended the building of a covered, moving walkway along an old railway viaduct, to link Newcastle Central Station with the site.

The land is currently owned by US company SMG – which runs the arena – Bellway Homes and Network Rail.

All those parties, in conjunction with the council, have signed up to the Nathanial Lichfield research.

City council head of sustainable development John Miller said: “There would be a regional convention centre right where the arena is, with the arena rebuilt. The owner SMG is a partner in this.

“There will also be a good quality hotel and leisure facilities – a real focal point for the city. One NorthEast and the city council are behind it, and Bellway are keen for residential on the land too.”

Mr Miller said the old railway viaduct which links the land with Newcastle Central Station was currently used as car parking and so ripe for redevelopment.

He said: “The former sidings are completely under-used but could work to link the facilities with Newcastle Central Station, with a connection to the hotel and regional convention centre. There could be a covered walkway and a travelator. It is too short for a taxi ride, but too long a walk from the station.”

Mr Miller also admitted local transport infrastructure needed some work to make the area function better. He said: “Linking the area together, transport impact is part of the infrastructure. We’ve got to improve the connections there.

“Things should be easy to connect, with the Scotswood Road dualling, with better useability.” Mr Miller also said the project known as Redheugh Bridgehead should ease traffic in the area, where currently the connections between the Redheugh Bridge, Scotswood Road and St James’ Boulevard do not allow traffic to circulate easily.

Building a convention centre would solve a longstanding gripe about Tyneside’s ability to host large events, as the area does not have a large enough venue for many of the UK’s biggest conferences. The other alternative being considered is to build capacity behind The Sage Gateshead building. Mr Miller said: “The two sites [Forth yard and The Sage Gateshead] are meant to complement each other. There is talk about The Sage being used to build the market, but the long-term strategy would be the regional convention centre in Newcastle.

“One NorthEast, together with Newcastle and Gateshead, are starting to work on a study into just that. Either one scheme or the other, or a combination of both.”