Welcome!  The Tyne Crossings Alliance was initially formed as a organisation opposing the construction of the second Tyne road tunnel due to the problems it would bring and the developmental dead end it represents.

Since then, the Alliance has widened its remit from the single Tyne Tunnel issue to include sustainable transport, planning and development concerns in the Tyne area. You can find out more here.

Hebburn: TescoVille?

Tyne Crossings Alliance has been following the developments for plans to turn Hebburn's shopping centre into another carbon-copy Tesco town. TCA Co-coordinator Paul Winch has taken up the case. You can find out more here.

Fancy that!

From Chronicle Extra:

"Tyne Tunnel set for car toll price hike" : a report that the TWPTA has abolished charges for buses using the tunnel and added 10p (taking the toll from £1.10 to £1.20) for cars.

From the SOUTH TYNE STAR:

"Tunnel in credit after 40 years! - Link has paid its debts". Peter Hedley said: "In 1968, the first full year of operation, the tunnel had 2.4 million passengers [vehicles?]. By last year, that was up to 12.2 million. [It is this growth] that has enabled the tunnel to settle its bills. We finally paid back the debt in March. In the first 20 years there was just not enough traffic to bring in the money for the tunnel build......In real terms, the toll that will be charged over the next few years is cheaper than in 1967".

Tyne Crossings Alliance has say on LDF

Tyne Crossings Alliance co-coordinator Paul Winch has submitted responses to the recent Local Development Framework consultation document on the Hebburn Town Centre Area Action Plan.  Find the individual submissions here.

Government fails the environment and people of Tyneside

The decision is finally in.  The Government has made the worst choice, and have decided to allow the second tunnel project to go ahead, despite the massive amount of evidence showing that the tunnel would be A Really Bad Thing.

We have issued a press release, outlining the failure of the Government and the Prime Minister to act on the threat of man-made climate change.

However, at first glance of the Inspector's report, it seems that he actually agreed with the objectors.  Here are some interesting points (with the report paras noted) he made, which somehow contradict the final decision:

"the NTC (New Tyne Crossing) would substantially increase the number of journeys taken by private car" (para 8.26)

"the NTC would not reduce journey lengths, but would increase them significantly" (para 8.28) "there's very little chance of better bus services" (paras 8.30, 8.31 and 8.63)

"I see little to prevent the spare capacity realised [at other crossings where traffic will divert to the NTC] being utilised by additional cars" (para 8.32)

"the NTC would do little to promote integrated land use and transportation or support more sustainable communities" (para 8.35)

"predicted traffic levels on the A19 are likely to be the minimum" (para 8.67)

"reinforcing the A19 corridor further would be contrary to one of the main aims and objectives of Government policy. In my judgement, a linear or corridor development of this sort can only deflect from the creation of sustainable communities" (para 8.95)

"such locations [of employment opportunities opened up by the NTC] are less sustainable and unlikely to further the reality of sustainable communities" (para 8.105)

"the loss of open space at Epinay Walk is a problem" (para 8.163)