Mayor details £200m transport schemes
North East Combined AuthorityAn elected mayor has announced transport schemes totalling more than £200m for her region.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness confirmed £208m would be spent by 2027 on projects including the building of a new North Shields Ferry Landing, smart ticketing on the Tyne and Wear Metro and 100km (62 miles) of walking and cycling infrastructure.
But opposition councillors have criticised the plan and said large parts of the region will not see any benefit.
McGuinness said the money would provide a more accessible, safer and better-connected system.
"For too long we have put up with an inadequate transport network which is in urgent need of investment," she said.
"This initial £208m is the first phase of a major £800m capital investment programme which we will roll out over the next three years to revive our network and improve public transport and active travel for all."
Under the plans, the Metro network will receive new gatelines which McGuinness said would create a safer environment for women and girls.
Bus stops will also undergo safety and accessibility changes, while £15.8m will be be spent on 1,000 electric vehicle charge-points in residential areas.
County Durham will receive £23m to bring it into the region's main transport funding programme and in-line with the other six local authorities.
An additional £21.7m has been earmarked for repairing roads during the next financial year.
Many of the projects have been in the works for some time but McGuinness' announcement confirmed they would receive funding.
Liberal Democrat Paul Edgeworth, who is leader of the opposition for Sunderland City Council, described the transport plan as "unambitious" and said it would not fix the region's "crumbling roads, flyovers and bridges".
"Even if these projects do actually happen, they aren't going to mean people on Wearside will see any improvements," he said.
"Our Metro service in Sunderland will still be treated as second best and huge parts of the city – including Washington and Houghton – will still get nothing at all."