Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Deal projects

Smart Newcastle - digital infrastructure

This project will deliver dark fibre infrastructure in key areas of the Newcastle Town Deal area, connecting key public sector sites and community facilities to address economic growth, digital inclusion, and public service delivery.   This creates the opportunity for community facilities to become digital hubs that give digital access to their communities. It will also facilitate fibre broadband connection on business parks and industrial estates in a more cost-efficient way than might otherwise be available. This will give Newcastle an advantage in attracting investment, facilitating better access to employment, education and wider services for its residents and set the Town Deal area up for longer term sustainable development.

Sustainable public transport solutions

A package of investment in bus infrastructure and services across Newcastle-under-Lyme to improve both the quality of the bus network and the passenger experience. It seeks to improve journey times, reliability and increase bus usage.

The project includes:

• improved real time passenger information in Newcastle town centre and Keele University including departure times and average walk times to the nearest bus stops

• real time bus information installed at key stops in the Newcastle Town Deal area

• investment to improve reliability and frequency of service between Keele University and Newcastle town centre and a circular bus route to connect Knutton, Chesterton, Silverdale and Keele

• a feasibility study into greening the bus fleet on the A525 Keele corridor

Town Centre permeability

The project will contribute towards providing a complete, coordinated walking/cycling corridor between Keele University, Newcastle town centre and Stoke on Trent. Investment will be in an improved pedestrian and cycle crossing facility at the busy Gallowstree Lane Roundabout and improvements to the pedestrian crossing at Barracks Road/Hassell Street in Newcastle town centre.

Electric charging infrastructure

Encouraging the transition to electric vehicles (EV) by investing in charging infrastructure for use by taxis and private vehicles. This project will deliver EV charging points at the new Castle Car Park at Ryecroft by funding 20 charging units (40 charging spaces)