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| The C2C Guide - route notes for Lydgetts Junction to Tynemouth - south bank |
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Signage at Lydgetts Junction
As of 6/10/2001 the blue C2C signs are missing from Lydgetts Junction but the Millennium Mile post is OK (although twisted slightly out of correct alignment) & the Milepost fingers still show the 4 way junction directions.
To go to Tynemouth you can go either one of two ways.
A/. Sustrans preferred route via Consett & Stamping point
Straight ahead past Smelt Wagon (L) on route 7 (MMP finger to Rowlands Gill) and the same direction as Sunderland finish until you reach the two Terris Novalis sculptures and follow NCN route 7 & 14 signs.
The blue C2C signs all appear in place at the two roundabouts & lead you through Consett.
B/. Alternative Route via "Berry Edge"
TL onto route 14, before the Smelt Wagon (MMP finger to Berry Edge), onto track, minor road, track in succession, over A692 road to join rough track over the 'wilds' of "Berry Edge" track can be indistinct in places. More suitable for mountain bikes not touring bikes!!
Both routes join up at Mile 110.5, to continue SA through Rowland Gill and down towards the River Tyne and NCN route 14 along south bank of River Tyne to finish at Tynemouth.
Note: At present NCN route 14 is marked by a variety of sign types, ranging from old style C2C, Red stickers 7 or 14, & "Keelsmans Way (on brown background). Gateshead Council intend shortly to completely re-sign NCN route 14 from Rowlands Gill to Hebburn with approved Blue signs marked C2C and/or "Keelsmans Way" NCN 14 plus distances.
There are three choices of crossing the River Tyne to north bank :-
"Over" , "Under" or "On"
A/. "Over"river on Millennium Bridge
Note: Crossing over the busy Swing Bridge now can be avoided.
B/. "Under" river using Jarrow Pedestrian / Cycle Tunnel
Note Cyclist cannot use the Road Tunnel
C/. "On" river by Ferry from South to North Shields.
Main Directions
1/. Mile 120.7 As you exit the Derwent Country Park between road (L) and river (R), pass under Hexham Road, SA and between high mesh fences next to barrier (R), to 4 way path junction, with large road salt dump (L). & stone bridge (R).
note:- at present there are no signs at this 4-way junction.
2/. Choice of Route:-
a/. Sustrans mapped Route :- TR over old stone hump back bridge, on other side sharp TL onto path at large wooden sign Keelmans Way - Derwent Walk to follow east bank of River Derwent, under stone bridge, and two road bridges to rail/ foot bridge. At railway line TR onto "Keelsmans WAy" NCN route 14.
b/. Alternative easier route :- Continue SA on new path between high mesh fencing with road salt dump (L), allotments (R), under A1(T) road viaduct, to bear R to follow newly widened path along west bank of River Derwent. Pass, under 2nd road bridge, Holiday Inn (L) & SA towards rail/foot bridge. TR (to avoid steps up to bridge TL up short ramp then immediate sharp R) and cross River Derwent on footway alongside rail bridge to join "Keelsmans Way" NCN route 14.
3/. SA on narrow rough track parallel with railway, to join tarmac path under road bridge. passing Metro Centre (R) & continue SA to road, TL under rail bridge to Tjcn.
This T-jcn can be very busy with traffic to / from the Metro Shopping Centre. Cross road TR & then bear L onto off-road cycle lane. Follow SA to join SUP, sailing ship (L) to pass Tudor Rose PH (L) and R.Team (L). Under "unused" footbridge & stay on SUP bearing L uphill, with gasometers (R) to mini Rbt.
4/. At Rbt, bear L through trees on to off-road path, SA and under four high level bridges, through car park to join road. Pass "Baja" night-club (L) and up to Tjcn. TR then immediately TL and under Tyne Bridge. SA to Gateshead Quays, Baltic Art Centre & the Millennium Bridge (L).
Choice of Route
"Over" Millennium Bridge or continue on South Bank to Jarrow Pedestrian / Cycle Tunnel or the Ferry at South Shields.
Over:- TL down cycle ramp onto Baltic Square and cross Millennium Bridge on the cycle track, beware of errant pedestrians who cannot see signs or bikes. Follow north bank guide notes from 11/. Take time to view this magnificent structure & see hydraulic rams that tilt open the bridge, located in each pier.
South Bank :-
5/. Continue SA past Baltic Arts Centre (L) to gravel works entrance, TR uphill and then TL into South Shore Rd. SA to dead end, (Kittywake Nesting Tower (L), built to house birds displaced from the Baltic Arts building), through bollards to join rough track down to riverside car park access road.
TR uphill, pass Schooner PH (R) to Tjcn, TL & SA past Friars Goose Stone ruin (L) to Tjcn Green Lane. TL downhill, as you draw level with wooded area TR onto off-road path uphill through woodland. Continue SA until rejoin road.
There is a choice of route along Tyne Main Road either over 'grassed area' (green line on Gateshead map) or stay on road (red line on Gateshead map).
Temporary Diversion from point D to car park on the Gateshead map
-due to ongoing work a diversion is in place from point D and although signed it is easily missed. Look for the site cabins and then turn left, mount very high kerb and follow limestone path past the Kittywake nesting tower to rejoin route. This diversion is expected to be in place for most of the season.
6/. TL then immediately TR & uphill to Tjcn. TL into Abbotsford Rd. Continue SA to dead end, bear L & pass through bollards to join path down to a rough lane. TL downhill. at bottom bear R onto a path that cuts off the hairpin bend & TR onto riverside path. SA on winding track through woodland to Bill Quay Community Farm (R). to Tjcn at Joel Terrace.
7/. TL then immediately TR onto path with scrap yard (L), SA through bollards. SA until you meet a path joining from the right. TL & SA into Hebburn Riverside Park,
You are now in South Tyneside & standard blue signs in use, marked "South Tyne Cycleway" & NCN 14
8/. Continue through park, on path following edge of scubbery. (R). SA and downhill to join Prince Consort Rd. Bear R & at Tjcn, TL into Prince Consort Industrial Estate. SA to dead end, TR through bollards onto off-road path down to riverside promenade, SA to end & TR to join road uphill towards a large church. At Tjcn TL, and continue SO next 2 Rbts. At 3rd Rbt, TL and follow road round to R. to Tjcn with Commercial Rd. with Gasometer (L) & Tyne Road Tunnel Ventilation Chimney (R), (looks like an ice cream cone without the ice cream) !!.
Choice of Route:- "Under" by Tunnel or "On" by Ferry at South Shields.
9/. "Under" TL into Commercial rd. At Gaslight PH TL onto brick paved area & SA to Tunnel entrance. Use access zig zag ramp with green lane to reach entrance buildings. The large squat round building houses the escalators, only in use at busy periods, descend into tunnel & cross under river. If escalators not running follow green lane around building to the lift (elevator) house, use to descend to tunnels. Lift is a tight squeeze, max 3 riders plus bikes, each time. Ensure to use Cycle tunnel ( there are 2 tunnels) or you will be shouted at by the man in the CCTV room. At other side ascend to surface by lift or escalator, follow green cycle lane up to Tjcn with main road. TR on SUP & follow cycle lane pass Duke of Weelington PH (R), into Howdon Rd. & uphill to join north bank guide notes at 18/.
10/. "On" Ferry at South Shields.
Continue SA past Tyne Road Tunnel Ventilation building (R), & bear R to Tjcn with Curlew Rd. (L) at corner of Shell oil depot.
Choice of route:-
A/. TL & follow Curlew Rd then track around oil tank depot to river bank, (Nissan Car terminal ahead) & river Don, pass through car parks & SA keeping R. Don (L), after electricity pylons at closed off old stone bridge SA to join path through trees and up ramp to rejoin main road at bottom of Church Bank.
B/. Continue on road to next Tjcn, TL into Church Bank. Pass Shell oil tanks (L), oil rail terminal (R), & Bede's World (L), bear R & down to bottom of Church Bank. SA over R. Don Bridge, past wood yards (L).
Final sections are a mixture of cycle lanes on road & shared use path, which switches back & forth, before continuing on busy road all the way to the ferry.
There are many roundabouts to negotiate. but you are always turning left.
11/. Just before Tjcn. join cycle lane, bear L & join SUP. Pass The Alkali PH (L) & SA through traffic lights to Rbt. TL under rail bridge to next Rbt, SO to next Rbt, TL to yet another Rbt. TL onto Commercial Road. (Follow cycle lane markings.)
This is a busy section of road with heavy lorries entering & leaving Tyne Dock
12/. Continue SA 1.5 miles towards South Shields centre. Pass Magistrates Courts (R) and on to next Rbt. "Harton Staithes" Ignore 1st TL with cycle lanes, unable at present to reach ferry landing this way. Take 2nd TL & SO next Rbt, towards The Alum Ale House PH (excellent real ale served) , TL down to ferry landing.
Ferry runs every 30 mins at 15 & 45 minutes past the hour,
and costs ¡ê1.00 for rider plus bike, one way.
Cross "On" river, disembark from ferry, up ramp. At The Crane PH, TR to join north bank guide notes at 21/. and onto the finish
Doug "on the Tyne"
17th. October 2001
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