Highcroft Park Allotment Access, Whitburn

Overview

As part of South Tyneside Council’s ongoing commitments to create a safer environment for all highway users, it is proposed to restrict the access at Highcroft Park Allotments and prevent through traffic from Lizard Lane to Highcroft Park.

Currently, there is a through route between Lizard Lane and Highcroft Park via the allotments. Following a road safety review of the junction where Lizard Lane meets the allotments, the Council is proposing to restrict this access removing the through route and only allowing access to the allotments. The junction has been identified as a pedestrian safety concern, and limiting through access aims to reduce risk for all road users.

Pedestrians will still be able to travel between Lizard Lane and Highcroft Park using the footpath running south along the allotments to the southern end of Lizard Lane or the stepped access to Highcroft Park located north of the allotments.

Why your views matter

If the proposal moves forward, the Council must follow a legal process under Section 118 of the Highways Act 1980, which governs the stopping up (closure) of highways.

This process includes publishing a formal notice, inviting comments, and holding a statutory consultation period. If objections are received, the matter may be referred to the Secretary of State and could involve a public inquiry. No changes can happen until this process is complete and approval is granted.

We are asking for your views as part of this informal consultation stage before starting the formal Section 118 process. Your feedback will help us decide whether to proceed, and we encourage all residents to share their views during this consultation period.

We would like to emphasise that this consultation does not indicate that any changes will be implemented at this stage.