By Tariq Albassam, Director of Operations at NE1 Ltd
The transformation of the Port of Tyne into a world-class clean-energy hub demonstrates that the River Tyne remains at the economic heart of the North East.
Thanks to initial investment from the Port of Tyne, the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, central Government and the private sector, billions of pounds has been channelled into the lower Tyne creating thousands of high-quality jobs and positioning our region at the forefront of the global energy transition.
This success deserves to be celebrated.
A truly great river should serve both prosperity and people.
While the ‘outer Tyne’ continues to power the region’s industrial future, there is an equally exciting opportunity to transform the non-industrial sections of the river into places where people can experience, enjoy, and reconnect with the water.
Newcastle was built on the River Tyne, one of the country’s great waterways. We crisscross it, photograph it, and host events alongside it, yet for much of the city-centre stretch we rarely use it. For a river that once powered the Industrial Revolution, there remains enormous, untapped potential to create new leisure, recreation and visitor experiences that complement the river’s renewed industrial success.
This matters to us here at NE1 because, in cities across the UK and around the world, rivers are catalysts for economic growth, cultural development and environmental revitalisation.
NE1 has always focused on Newcastle’s future, challenging the status quo and asking where we want and need the city to be in the next decade and beyond. One opportunity that consistently stands out is the river and the role it can play in shaping the city’s future.
We believe that the whole region would benefit from a clear, coordinated vision that builds on the outstanding work already happening downstream. Industrial activity and public activation should not compete – they should strengthen one another, creating a river that works for business, communities and visitors and reestablishes the Tyne as one of the country’s most important waterways.
NE1 recognised this opportunity in 2013 and created the Newcastle City Marina, which enabled boats to sail into the heart of the city and moor on the Tyne in the shadow of the Tyne Bridge. The marina quickly became a popular destination for leisure craft while unlocking exciting new opportunities for events and experiences, providing access to the water, something which is still surprisingly rare, especially in the city centre stretch.
Over the last decade, NE1 has used the marina to organise and host most of the river-based activities on the Tyne. From kayaking tours to Dragon Boat racing, and welcoming historic Spanish galleons, all have been extremely popular and while we are proud of what has been achieved, we know we have only scratched the surface of what is possible.
This summer we are delighted to have worked closely with Tyne Cruises Ltd, who are bringing river cruises back to the Tyne and using Newcastle City Marina as their home berth. From August, visitors and locals will once again be able to experience the city from the water, with regular cruises departing throughout the week.
It is another important step towards creating a river that is active, accessible and full of life.
Whilst we don’t claim to have all the answers, we know there is significant untapped potential on the non-industrial stretches of the river, a growing appetite for river-based activity, and businesses waiting in the wings ready to invest.
Newcastle cannot afford to overlook one of its greatest natural assets. If we are serious about being a leading regional capital, we need a river that contributes not only to our economy through industry, but also to our identity, visitor offer and quality of life through leisure, recreation and culture.
What is needed to accelerate progress is a shared vision – one that brings together local authorities, the Port of Tyne, the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, businesses and communities around a common ambition for the river’s future.
The timing has never been better. The Port of Tyne’s ambitious clean energy strategy, together with the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority’s investment in maritime innovation and green growth, is transforming the lower Tyne into one of Europe’s leading centres for offshore renewables and advanced manufacturing. Instead of seeing this as separate from the city, we should see it as an opportunity. A thriving industrial river creates confidence to invest further upstream, developing complementary leisure, tourism and cultural opportunities that celebrate our relationship with the water while respecting its role as a working river.
Momentum is already building. Alongside the return of river cruises, organisations are expressing interest in bringing floating saunas, plunge pools, cafés, paddle sports, river taxis and even floating hotels to the Tyne. At NE1, we have also signed the Swimmable Cities pledge, which aims to create swimmable openwater spaces in Newcastle by 2035. These ideas are not intended to compete with the river’s industrial future – they complement it by creating new reasons for people to visit, spend time on the waterfront and experience the Tyne in new ways.
The River Tyne is already writing an exciting new chapter through its role in the green energy transition. Our ambition is to ensure local communities share in this success by creating more opportunities to experience, enjoy and connect with the non-industrial stretches of the river. By matching industrial and civic ambition, we can create a river that powers our economy, strengthens our visitor offer, improves health and wellbeing, and continues to be the beating heart of our city and region.
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