Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

River Tyne: Transport Links

Thursday 24 June 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chi Onwurah asked about plans to improve transport links across the River Tyne
  • The Minister responded that the Department for Transport and MHCLG will assess bids for the levelling-up fund
  • An 18.5 million bid to improve transport links has been supported by regional hon. Members and local leaders

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Transport
Context

The question was prompted by the need for improved transport connectivity across the River Tyne in Newcastle. The bridge is a cultural icon but also faces significant infrastructural challenges.

Question

What plans he has to improve transport links across the River Tyne. I would like to thank the Minister for that response, but it is not really one. As well as being a great icon of north-east people, culture and engineering, the Tyne bridge is an essential part of our transport infrastructure and it is in a dire state.

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

I thank the hon. Lady for her question. I am aware of the bid that has gone in as part of the levelling-up fund. Obviously, the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will assess the bids submitted to that fund and we expect to announce the outcome of the competition in the autumn, but the Department for Transport is also aware of a proposal for the bridge including the bid for £36 million from the major road network funding developed by Transport for the North on behalf of north-east partners. DFT officials continue to work with Newcastle City Council on the business case for that proposal.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans and commitment to improve transport links across the River Tyne were not directly addressed

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Q2 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Housing Transport
Context

Local leaders, including the North of Tyne Mayor, have submitted a bid to the levelling-up fund for £18.5 million to improve the condition of the Tyne Bridge, which is an important cultural and transport asset in dire need of repair.

Question

Hon. Members from across the region, together with local authority leaders, the North of Tyne Mayor and the police and crime commissioner, have written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Secretary of State for Transport in support of an £18.5 million bid to the levelling-up fund. Does the Minister agree that the Tyne bridge must be levelled up if it is going to be in a fit state to celebrate its 100th birthday in 2028 as a beautiful and functional symbol of the north?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

I thank the hon. Lady for her question. I am aware of the bid that has gone in as part of the levelling-up fund. Obviously, the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will assess the bids submitted to that fund and we expect to announce the outcome of the competition in the autumn, but the Department for Transport is also aware of a proposal for the bridge including the bid for £36 million from the major road network funding developed by Transport for the North on behalf of north-east partners. DFT officials continue to work with Newcastle City Council on the business case for that proposal.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific agreement and commitment regarding the levelling-up fund bid were not provided

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