Assessing the value of Shields Ferry to the local and regional economy

The Shields Ferry provides a vital transport link across the River Tyne between North and South Shields in the North East of England. The Ferry connects local residents and visitors with local hospitality and cultural attractions on both sides of the river.

Nexus and local partners are developing proposals to move the North Shields ferry landing to the key redevelopment area of Fish Quay. North Tyneside Council have bid to the government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) to help fund the project.

How we helped

To support the LUF bid, Nexus commissioned Steer to produce a report setting out the value that the ferry service delivers to the local and regional economy and how this value could grow following the construction of the newly located North Shields landing.

Members of Steer’s core transport team collaborated with Steer Economic Development and used a robust Economic Impact Assessment methodology to develop the report. As a result, our report featured an accessible narrative based on robust analytical foundations.

For this project, Steer was supported by MarFishEco, a specialist fishery and marine economic consultancy. MarFishEco provided expert advice on how the proposals for the landing could impact the local fishing industry – an important and historical part of the local economy.

Successes and outcomes 

Our report showed that the Shields ferry makes important contributions to the local economy, predominately supporting the tourism and visitor economy. In addition, the work found that the proposals for the landing align strongly with other local redevelopment and public transport schemes in the area. The ferry also generates environmental benefits and supports local air quality improvement by providing an alternative to private car travel.

Steer’s work on this study formed an essential part of the supporting evidence base for the Levelling Up Fund bid by showing how continued financial support for the Shields Ferry generates economic, social, and environmental value for the local region.