North Shields Transport Hub

Transport hubs are a pathway to local growth, providing better connectivity that drives inward investment and prosperity.

We teamed up with North Tyneside Council to deliver its plan for a sustainable transport hub and town square in North Shields.

Significantly, this is the council’s first net zero carbon building and one of the first of its kind in the UK.

Ambition for North Shields

This transport hub and associated green realm upgrades formed part of the council’s Ambition for North Shields and the Fish Quay Masterplan. Subject to a successful funding bid to the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF), they will breathe new life into the town centre and riverside, providing the right environment to support businesses, leisure users and retail.

Role of hub

The transport hub brings all bus services in the town together with the Metro and taxis. It also links to cycling infrastructure – making it easier for people to choose cleaner, greener travel.

The site features a new open town square (above) for events and leisure activities, with the enhanced public realm creating a green space that increases biodiversity. The square links the town centre to the vibrant Fish Quay using a series of walkways, providing much-improved accessibility with step-free routes and steps with handrails, coupled with the opportunity for further green space.

Being net zero

The transport hub is the first net zero carbon building in North Tyneside. It incorporates an enhanced building envelope to maximise airtightness, coupled with an array of photovoltaic solar panels and a surface water management system.

The project has undertaken a Life Cycle Carbon Assessment to reduce embodied carbon. This was done by assessing the design at the earliest stage then amending the design to use techniques, products and materials to reduce the embodied carbon by a target of 40%.

Cllr Carl Johnson, Deputy Mayor of North Tyneside, said:

“Our investments in the proposed transport hub and town square and embankment walkway are absolutely vital to improving connectivity and helping create a vibrant and sustainable shopping environment, which will help attract new investment in the town.”

“We have been sharing our plans with local communities and incorporating their feedback into the designs and will continue to listen to what people tell us as the projects evolve.”

Nick Corrigan, Director at Willmott Dixon said:

“This project will be a catalyst for the regeneration of the town centre and create a new gateway for the people of North Shields. It really is a dynamic and sustainable design which will create a vibrant and innovative space for local people.”

Images courtesy of Napper Architects