Cycleway Receives New Lighting Following Safety Review and Community Concerns

South Tyneside Council has initiated plans to install new lighting along the Coast Road in South Shields, aiming to enhance safety for cyclists on the National Cycle Network route. This decision follows a safety review and addresses public concerns about the outdated state of the existing cycleway. However, the proposal has faced significant opposition from local residents and environmental groups, who argue that the introduction of streetlights could lead to light pollution, adversely affecting the Leas nature reserve and diminishing the area’s suitability for viewing the Northern Lights. In response to these concerns, the council has committed to conducting independent assessments to evaluate the potential impact of the new lighting on the environment and local community. (bbc.co.uk)