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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 £1.00 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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