Signing News
Page last updated
20th October 2010
Guidance on Signing Issues in the STARS Group Area
The area the STARS group covers encompasses five local authorities and each has their own views
and requirements regarding signing National and Regional routes with some giving them full support to
Sustrans rangers being involved and others refusing to allow any form of signing by Sustrans Rangers.
Detailed below is the current situation (May 2007) in each local authority area and by route.
North Tyneside
This is a complex area to sign due to the three overlapping routes, tunnel / ferry links and legal restraints.
Generally we have a good relationship with North Tyneside Council and Graeme Clarke Cycling Officer
Permission has been granted for erecting highway signs on the specific sections detailed below.
 NCR 1 - Coast & Castles
Currently only signed with highway signs between Shields Ferry landing and The Spanish Battery, Tynemouth. Permission OK for erecting highway signs or applying Sustrans temporary signs on this section only. Some waymarker signs required along the on-road section.
Between Tynemouth and St. Mary's Island:-it is hoped that this section willfinally be signed during early 2011 in time for next years cycling season.
 Reivers Cycle Route
All signs between Tynemouth to A1(T) road bridge have now been changed over to RED 10's or (10)s as per Sustrans guidelines.
Some ranger signs remian in use until:-
Cycle route to be altered between Shiremoor and Camperdown and re-signed.
 NCR 72 - Hadrian's Cycleway
Once various construction works are completed - Tyne Tunnel / Smiths Dock / Hadrians Village esate - then the whole route within North Tyneside is to be resigned to a common standard.
I have full permission from North Tyneside to maintain the signs along this section - and I carry a stock of replacement highway signs for this purpose.
On this section if you find any signs missing please let me know but meanwhile put a temporary sticker sign up. Please advise me if and where if you use stickers so I can arrange replacement highway signs and remove redundant sticker.
I have a complete photo record and survey of all signs along this route in North Tyneside & Newcastle.
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South Tyneside
There are 3 NCN routes in the borough all meeting at the Shields Ferry landing.
Sustrans rangers are permitted to put sticker signs in place BUT location must be logged
and reported to the Cycle Officer - Trevor Mackie.
Two Rivers Cycleway
Signed to NCN standard with additional Sustrans stick on signs used as waymarkers (note: these were applied by council staff NOT rangers).
The route at the Westoe Crown Village is also subject to change as the development progresses.
 Keelmans Way
I now have official permission to use ranger signs along NCN 1, and NCN 14., as long as a record is kept of the lamp columns and signs post serial numbers is advised to Blafour Beatty signs contractors for South Tyneside.
NCN 14 is to be named Keelmans Way through South Tyneside. New signs are now in place from the district boundary through Jarrow & Tyne Cycle Tunnel and onto laygate in South Shields. Finally 600m will be signed to NCN standards once construction works completed.
Hadrian's Cycleway
This was fully signed to NCN standards last year just ahead of the launch ride - some Rangers signs have been used to fill in short gaps and to replace waymarker signs that went missing when new street lighting posts were installed - no more signs should be required.
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Newcastle
Reivers Cycle Route
The Dinnington to Preswick Carr section has now been completetly resigned using highway signs.
NCR 72 - Hadrian's Cycleway
The majority of this route is signed as HADRIANS WAY using signs with a brown background because it is also the Hadrian's Wall National Walking Trail. Click here for examples
There are two sections where HCW diverges from HWNWT and on these sections the NCN 72 is signed as HADRIAN'S CYCLEWAY using signs with a blue background.
These sections are:-
1/. Walker Riverside Park from junction to west of Church Street throught to Glasshouse Street at St. Peters.
2/. Scotswood to Newburn via Newburn Riverside Trail.
To confuse matters further the HWNWT signs have a bike logo on them BUT without a route number 72.
Highway signing including side links is on going but we are OK to use Sustrans ranger signs throughout the Newcastle section. I have a small supply of brown Hadrians Way signs plus NCN 72 signs.
Small brown waymarker signs (with Bike 72 / Acorn / Pedestrian logos) have been installed along the Quayside from Spillers to the Biz park and redundant ranger and C2C signs removed.
Please report any missing or damaged signs to Doug.
Link route to/from Station signed with Ranger signs but needs improving.
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Gateshead
We have a good relationship with the council through Neil Frier
and have permission to use Sustrans Ranger Signs on NCN routes.
Derwent Walk and Keelmans Way
Reasonably well signed to NCN standards - there are some gaps and other areas where signs go missing.
I have reached agreement with Neil Frier for him to supply some spare NCN 14 highway signs for our use.
Some of the Keelmans Way (South Shore area) is subject to change and new signs are due to be installed in Bill Quay area later this year.
Please report any missing signs etc. to Doug &/or Neil Friar.
There are many, redundant and very faded Keelmans Way signs along the route - I will find out from Neil Friar if these can be removed.
The Keelmans way section is also incorrectly signed as being part of the C2C.
Link to NCR 72 - Hadrian's Cycleway
The link from NCN 14 to NCN 72 over Scotswood Bridge is signed using mainly Sustrans Ranger signs.
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Northumberland
Contact with the council has been poor in the past but seems to be improving now that
there are new officers. Slightly complicated in that Blyth Valley council deal with that area.
NCR 1 - Coast & Castles
Reasonably signed to NCN standards from boundary with North Tyneside to Woodhorn - but the route is convoluted through Blyth and subject to change. A new route for NCN 1 is under development and will be via Blyth Quayside and the banks of the R. Blyth. An extensive cycle network under construction in Blyth & Bedlington as part of the Connect2 projet and Links to Schools project.
Ranger signs are OK to use and Stuart has permission to put up detour signs when required.
Reivers Cycle Route - Ponteland to Darra Hall section
This has now been re-signed soon and numbers changed to NR10.
NCR 72 - Hadrian's Cycleway
Sustrans has approval to install highway signs along the route. I have a stock of spare signs to replace any missing or damaged signs - contact Doug if any required. Ranger signs are OK for use anywhere on the route.
Note:- Wylam Waggonway - Sustrans hard plastic signs are used on low wooden posts plus there is a wooden destination finger sign post at Wylam Car Park
Generally Highway type signs will only be installed by Doug
with assistance when requested.
If you have any queries or comments please get in touch with Doug
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