A new Forum Square, a segregated West Street cycleway and new High Street crossings: have your say on Wallsend's £6m street plans by 8 November.

North Tyneside Council wants views on a package of street and public space improvements for Wallsend town centre, about six miles south west of Whitley Bay. The survey is open until Sunday 8 November 2026 (Our North Tyneside Voice).

The money comes from outside the council. North Tyneside has been allocated more than £6 million from the Department for Transport’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement for work in Wallsend. That allocation still needs final approval from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, and the funding can only be spent on public spaces, walking, wheeling and cycling (consultation page).

What is proposed

The council’s announcement sets out four projects (North Tyneside Council, 24 September):

  • Forum Square: new paving, seating and planting, better cycle parking, an upgraded bandstand and a more prominent spot for the listed Market Woman statue. The former toilet block would be demolished to open up the square.
  • High Street East and High Street West: new and upgraded crossings, resurfaced footways and roads, and more priority for people on foot at side-road junctions.
  • West Street and Rutland Road: full resurfacing, a cycleway separated from traffic, new crossings and better access to the Coast Road underpass. The council says the aim is safer trips for children going to and from school.
  • North Road and David Street link: better walking and cycling routes between West Street, Richardson Dees Park and Station Road, including a proposed signal-controlled cycle crossing at the Station Road, Elton Street and Hawthorn Grove junction.

Residents will also be asked about possible crossing improvements on High Street East, linking Laburnum Avenue to Park Road.

When it could happen

The council gives this timetable, subject to approval:

Stage Expected
Consultation closes 8 November 2026
West Street scheme considered January 2027
Remaining town centre schemes considered March 2027
Construction begins Spring and summer 2027

Drop-in sessions

Council officers will be at Wallsend Community Hub and Library at these times (North Tyneside Council):

  • Friday 25 September, 9.30am to 1pm
  • Saturday 26 September, 9.30am to 12.30pm
  • Saturday 3 October, 9.30am to 12.30pm

A first session ran on Thursday 24 September.

What it means for you

If you drive, cycle or walk through Wallsend, this is the point where the design can still change. Once the schemes go for approval in the new year, the chance to shape them largely passes.

The survey is on the Our North Tyneside Voice project page, which also carries maps of the streets affected and a list of frequently asked questions. For help taking part, or the information in another format, the council asks people to email AmbitionW@northtyneside.gov.uk or call 0191 643 1441.

The work sits within the council’s wider Ambition for Wallsend regeneration plan. For road closures already affecting the coast, see our Whitley Bay roadworks and travel page.