Keelman's Way - NCN 14
Blaydon to Tyne Bridge
The Keelman's Way now forms part of National Cycle Network route 14
The section between the mouth of the River Derwent to the Swing Bridge will be improved over
the next few years with the cycleway eventually running along the south bank of the Tyne
with a new foot / cycle bridge at the mouth of the River Derwent.
After crossing the River Derwent alongside the rail bridge continue on the track alongside the railway line fence (L) and pass under the concrete road bridge - where the surface changes to smooth tarmac.
Follow this path - which lies in a cutting between the Railway (L) and the Metro Centre ring road (R) - under a large red footbridge (Metro Centre link to Rail station) and new concrete flyover (bus only link into Metro Centre) and ahead on a narrow path beside the railway embankment (L) to junction with Cross Lane road.
This road can be very busy with traffic to and from the Metro Shopping Centre
especially at weekends.
Link to MetroCentre Cycleway
Link to Cross Lane Cycleway
Turn left under low rail bridge - (note the footpath is extremely narrow here) and before junction turn right and then left using the light controlled crossing points to join cycle track on north side of Colliery Road. Observe "No Cycling" sign and use cycle track NOT footway.
Traffic light crossing point at Cross Lane / Handy Drive Junction
Note - there are separate phases at these traffic lights for Buses (accessing the flyover to the Metro Centre) and for other vehicles - wait for the correct pedestrian / cycle phase before crossing.
Turn right and follow the off road cycle track then shared use pathway (SUP) along Hardy Drive.
After passing behind the hotel (look out for the guard dog usually chained up outside here) - turn right then left onto SUP passing alongside new housing estate tall brick wall to Tudor Rose PH.
Bear right and follow SUP alongside River Team - under large footbridge (out of use) and bear left on SUP along Team Street.
This footbridge will eventually form part of the Tanfield Railpath cycle route linking with NCN 14
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Link to Teams Cycleway and Tanfield Railpath |
Pass the three large gas holders (R) and ahead to signalled X-roads and bus link route.
Turn left and down to the river at the Dunston Staithes - turn right to join riverside path.
Continue down river passing under all the high level bridges to the end of the path at Pipewellgate carpark and join road Pipewellgate.
Look out for the sculptures located bewteen the the Redheugh and Swing Bridges - see link below.
Continue on road - passing between night clubs (L+R) towards junction with the Swing Bridge approach road.
| Cross river link to NCN 72 Hadrian's Cycleway via Swing Bridge Turn left over Swing Bridge and follow road around left to join promenade below High Level bridge (links to Hadrian's Cycleway website which will open in a new window) |
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 Up river to Scotswood |
 Down river to Tynemouth |
The
Swing Bridge approach road can be very busy and difficult to cross.
Use shared use pathway (SUP) and the Toucan crossing.
Just before T-jcn - turn right onto the shared use path (SUP) up to traffic lights - and cross over at Toucan Crossing.
Bear right on SUP then left into South Shore Road and continue on road passing under the Tyne Bridge.
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Continue down river to Bill Quay |
 |
Back up river to Blaydon |
Places of Interest
The
Tyne Crossings
Redheugh Road Bridge
King Edward VII Rail Bridge
QE II Metro Rail Bridge
High Level Road / Rail Bridge
Swing Bridge
Landmarks
Dunston Staithes
