Signing News
Page last updated
15th June 2008
Re-numbering of National & Regional Cycle Network
Sustrans has decided to eliminate braided routes and to re-number Regional routes to avoid duplication of route numbers around the country.
Already the Lemington Braid on NR72 has been removed from the network and signage modified.
The National & Regional routes in North Tyneside will be affected by these changes:-
In future signs will show the main route number with other inter-laced routes numbers shown in brackets.
i.e.
Royal Quays to North Shields Ferry Landing signs will have Red NR 72 with (10)**
North Shields Ferry Landing to Tynemouth (Spanish Battery) = NR1 RR (10) - NR 72 will only be shown in (72) on westbound signs as a link to NR72.
(This may be subject to a re-think by Sustrans as could prove to be expensive and complicared to implement.)
Example  for section in North Tyneside.
Top row shows existing method - bottom row shows the new "improved" method.
Note:- sign background colour would normally be Blue except in Newcastle when it will be "993300"
**Sustrans has agreed to keep the route as "10" but it will become an NCN route so this means all signs will have to have their numbers changed from blue to red - quite a task.
A full assessment is being carried out before materials can ordered and a plan of action decided upon.
Sustrans Ncl have now give the go ahead and planning now taking place on how / when to implement this. It is proposed to deal with the North Tyneside section first working from Tynemouth to A1. then continue on in stages to Ponteland and eventualy to Kielder.
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 car park the route is completely un-signed and until the legal status of the route is confirmed NO signs of any type can be put in place - this includes Sustrans Ranger stick on signs.
 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 track re-insated under Blue House Bridge, Shiremoor Bypass is completed and extra posts put in on the section between A19 underpass to Camperdown.
 NCR 72 - Hadrian's Cycleway
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.
Signing is almost up to standard with just a few signs to change for better ones and whenever the route alters - which is surprisingly quite frequent - with more to come.
New signs are on order and due for erection soon for the section through Willington Quay traffic calming zone.
The link from the North Sea Ferry terminal is also due to be slightly altered to make the new exit gate the entrance for cyclists as well and council will alter signs to show this.
Also in the near future the route will alter with a diversion due to construction of the 2nd Tyne Tunnel. (between A19 bridge and East Howdon) I have diversion signs already for this.
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 recently completed a photo record and survey of all signs along this route in North Tyneside.
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South Tyneside
This is probably the most awkward LA to work with at the moment as there is no longer a cycling officer.
There are 3 NCN routes in the borough all meeting at the Shields Ferry landing.
Sustrans rangers are "NOT" permitted to put sticker signs in place.
South Tyneside is the last authority in the country to refuse permission.
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). Unfortunatley the route is blocked at Coronation Street where a new ASDA store is to be built.
The route at the Westoe Crown Village is also subject to change as the development progresses.
 South Tyne Cycleway
Virtually un-signed from Shields Ferry Landing through to Church Bank - Jarrow.
From Church Bank - Jarrow to boundary with Gateshead the route is signed with highway signs to NCN standard. The route is also incorrectly signed as being part of C2C.
Work is on-going to re-build the cycle route to be fully off-road from Tyne Dock to Church Bank.
Phase 1 completed 2006 / Phase 2 completed 2007 / Phase 3 commences 2008.
New cycle path will be 4m wide on the dock wall side of Jarrow Road.
This cycle route will also be affected by construction of the 2nd. Tyne Tunnel.
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 survey was carried out earlier in the year by Sustrans, Rangers and Council to achieve much more straight forward route between ASDA and Newsham
and to provide a link to the College Campus.
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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