A183 Coast Road realignment

Overview

In May 2019, studies highlighted certain locations of the A183 Coast Road would likely be compromised at some point in the future. This is due to the ongoing erosion of the cliff face and the creation of cave formations.

Because of this, South Tyneside Council is proposing to move a section of the road away from the clifftop at the closest point.

Proposals

We are proposing to realign a section of road between the Lime Kilns and the caravan site, near the Marsden Grotto.

This would move the road away from the clifftop at the closest point.

The Council is proposing to return the unused section of the A183 Coast Road back to grassland.

It is currently envisaged the realignment would extend the lifespan of the coastal route by approximately 50 years.

The Council appointed design consultant Capita to produce an initial scheme design. This enabled further investigations to be carried out, and the final design completed by Capita prior to the submission of a planning application in 2021.

Public access to discussions of the proposed realignment scheme

In 2020 discussions began with the planning department to establish the likely environmental impacts and constraints.

This formal process is recorded on the planning register which is in the public domain.

As a result of this, articles were published by Shields Gazette, Evening Chronicle and Sunderland Echo which described the proposals and the reasons for them.

What will happen to the "old road"

The Council is proposing to return the existing A183 Coast Road back to grassland following completion of the scheme.

A small section of the existing bridleway will be realigned locally to accommodate the proposed road alignment.

The cycle provision

The current provision of a segregated footway / cycleway on the east side will be maintained along the realigned section.

The Lime Kilns

An extensive Environmental Impact Assessment is being prepared to make sure this feature is not adversely affected.

Map of proposed realignment

Key for coast road scheme drawing Key
	Existing road - to be landscaped
	New road
	Footway / cycleway
	Local realignment of bridleway
	Soft verge
	Cutting / embankment

How long we have been aware of the risk to the coast road

In May 2019 we asked for specialist advice from Royal Haskoning DHV, a company with an international reputation in this field.

They were commissioned to monitor surveys and provide a greater understanding of the behaviour of the cliff edge at critical 'pinch point' sections of Marsden Bay.

Their report explained that due to ongoing erosion of the cliff face and the creation of cave formations, the A183 Coast Road would in future be compromised. It also provided advice on safety thresholds and actions to be undertaken.

One action was to commence works on the proposed local realignment `with immediate effect`, which is now underway.

Why we are not stopping the cliff erosion

The advice within the report concluded it is not a practical option to locally defend the cliff line around the 'pinch point' sections due to the negative effects it would have on the rest of the bay.

Instead, the whole bay would have to be protected which would not only have unaffordable economic impacts, but would also result in the potential loss of key geological SSSI features.

Any coastal defence against marine erosion would not eliminate retreat of the cliff line.

Planning application

Following submission of the planning application in 2021, planning consent for the scheme was granted on 14 February 2022.

Appointment of contractor

Following planning consent, the scheme was put out to competitive tender with submitted tenders being received week commencing 25 April 2022. These submissions will be evaluated by the end of May 2022 to enable a preferred contractor to be selected.

Start date

Appointment of the contractor to deliver the scheme will follow the evaluation of the tenders and completion of the acquisition of the required land from National Trust. It is envisaged that this process will be complete at the end of August 2022, at which point a start date for construction will be determined.

Contact us

If you have a query or need more information, contact South Tyneside Council's Coast Road Team on 0191 427 7000 or email coastroadteam@southtyneside.gov.uk.

All enquires will be responded to within five working days. We will, of course, aim to respond sooner.