North Tyneside Council has an ambitious vision for Wallsend as a vibrant and connected place that is attractive to residents, visitors and businesses.
About Wallsend
Wallsend has a long and proud history dating back to Roman times when its fort served as the eastern end point of Hadrian’s Wall. Segedunum Roman Fort is part of Hadrian’s Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Whilst the town’s name has Roman origins, the town is perhaps best known for being a manufacturing powerhouse. It was at the centre of industrial growth on the River Tyne throughout the 19th Century, had a worldwide reputation for ship building and was a pioneer in electrical power generation.
The River Tyne corridor has found a new role in advanced manufacturing driven by offshore energy. The former Swan Hunter shipyard has been sold to Shepherd Offshore for manufacturing.
The modern town of Wallsend and its town centre sit around the axis of Station Road and its High Streets, with the Forum Shopping Centre added in the 1960s.
The decline of the shipyards in the 1980s and 1990s and loss of employment and income contributed towards the decline in the town centre. The challenges for town centre retailing continued with the growth of out-of-town shopping, online shopping and the cost-of-living crisis.
About our plans
The Ambition for Wallsend has three policy priorities:
- Improve the quality of the housing offer in Wallsend, with more affordable homes and work to tackle some of the poor quality privately rented housing in the area;
- Make the town centre and the nearby neighbourhoods great places to visit and live; improving the street scene, public spaces and working with partners to make sure people feel safe; and
- Make sure Wallsend residents are connected to good jobs, adult education and apprenticeships to make sure people are supported to improve their life chances.
The Ambition for Wallsend is made up of 14 different projects.
Project 1 – Wallsend Town Square
Project 2 – High Street West, High Street East and Station Road
Project 3 – Segedunum World Heritage Site Gateway
Project 4 – The Forum
Project 5 – Bus & Metro Station
Project 6 – Housing Streetscape Improvements
Project 7 – Housing Development (New Build & Refurbishment)
Project 8 – Cycle Corridors
Project 9 – Segedunum Transformation
Project 10 – Segedunum Linkages
Project 11 – Historic Buildings & Conservation
Project 12 – Business Support
Project 13 – Employment Support
Project 14 – Events & Animation
A draft plan was approved by Cabinet on 28 November 2022. You can view the report here.
Contact us
Tel: (0191) 643 1441
Email: AmbitionW@northtyneside.gov.uk
Facebook page: Ambition for Wallsend
Twitter: @NTCouncilTeam