South Shields Peninsula Legibility Study Document no. 124039/801 DRAFT Presented by Fairhurst on behalf of South Tyneside Council The Yellow Room at Fairhurst offers a range of landscape and urban design services from analysis and assessment through to masterplanning and public realm projects. Working closely with our in house development planners and engineers allows the Yellow Room to offer a unique service utilising this multidisiplinary working environment at Fairhurst. CONTROL SHEET Client: South Tyneside Council Project Title: South Shields Report Title: South Shields Legibility Study Project Reference: 124039 Document Number: 801 Status: Draft for client comment Middle Street - Job No. 124039 Name Date Signature Produced Laura Fogg 13/04/18 Checked Emily Russell 13/04/18 Approved Steve Goodchild 13/04/18 Issue Date Status Description Produced Checked Approved 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 contents introduction..............................................3 location and context.............................. 4 what is wayfinding?.................................6 policy context.......................................... 8 Stage 1 audit methodology................................. 12 audit.......................................................... 14 character area analysis..........................22 audit and analysis conclusions.............. 32 Stage 2 strategy introduction...............................36 landmarks and destinations................... 38 strategy.....................................................40 recommendations...................................51 1 Figures Figure 1 - Site Context Plan 4 Figure 2 - 65 Masterplan - Produced by The Harris Partnership on behalf of South Tyneside Council and Muse Developments 6 Figure 3 - Study Areas Plan 13 Figure 4 - Pedestrian Signage Location and Quality Rating 14 Figure 5 - Cyclist Signage Location and Quality Rating 16 Figure 6 - Cyclist Signage Location and Visibility Rating 18 Figure 7 - Landmark Location Plan 20 Figure 8 - Local Character Areas Plan 22 Figure 9 - Riverside - Signage Location and Type 24 Figure 10 - Town Centre - Signage Location and Type 26 Figure 11 - Residential - Signage Location and Type 28 Figure 12 - Foreshore - Signage Location and Type 30 Figure 13 - Local Character Areas Plan 32 Figure 14 - Opportunities and Constraints 37 Figure 15 - Landmarks Location Plan 38 Figure 16 - Signage and Legibility Strategy - Pedestrians 40 Figure 17 - Signage and Legibility Strategy - Cyclists 44 Figure 18 - Signage and Legibility Strategy - Vehicle Users 48 Appendices Appendix A: Audit Spreadsheet 2 introduction Fairhurst has been appointed by South Tyneside Council to produce a legibility Study for the South Shields Peninsula. The aim of the study is to explore and demonstrate how to improve the legibility of the area and explore opportunities to link the character areas of the Riverside, Town Centre and Foreshore. Key stages of the project include the following: • Analysis and audit of existing signage and landmarks within the peninsula; • Consultation with local businesses/communi- ties/general public; • Key outcomes and findings; • Wayfinding concepts and schematics; • Design concepts; and • Phasing and costs. Fairhurst is a multi-disciplinary firm; the landscape and urban design team will be supported by Transport and Highways to understand and analyse signage and wayfinding around the peninsula. The study would be a basis for South Tyneside Council to consult with key stakeholders. 3 location and context South Shields is a coastal town situated on the north east coast within the metropolitan borough of South Tyneside. It lies approximately 11km from Newcastle- upon-Tyne and is bordered by Gasteshead to the Tynemouth west and Sunderland to the south. South Shields is a key destination within the borough, situated on a peninsula where the River Tyne meets the North Sea North Shields and has a coastline of sandy beaches to the east as well as an industrial riverside along its north and western peripheries. For the purpose of this study, the peninsula can be 5 broadly divided into three areas; Riverside, Town River Tyne 4 Centre and Foreshore. It is noted that there are extensive residential areas in and around these areas. Arbeia Littlehaven beach This legibility study will analyse the character areas as well as identifying key routes, the existing wayfinding Ocean Beach provision and develop an improved wayfinding Pleasure Park concept that links these three areas and considers 3 7 arrival/ destination points within the town. Sandhaven 8 Beach Bus and 9 2 Metro stations Town Centre 1 6 Horsley Hill Figure 1 - Site Context Plan key Study area Town Centre Riverside Foreshore 4 location and context 1 2 3 Bents Recreation Ground King Street Haven Point 3 5 6 View from Lawe Top Artwork at Littlehaven, ‘Conversation Piece’ View from the Riverside to North Tyneside 7 8 9 Ocean Beach Pleasure Park South Marine Park Sand dunes form part of the coastline 5 what is wayfinding? Wayfinding is defined as the process or activity A holistic approach consisting of wayfinding of ascertaining ones position and planning and principles should be adopted. Some best practice following a route. It encompasses the way people principles consist of: orientate themselves in physical space and navigate from place to place. • Coherent and consistent systems; • Designed for all people; The process of wayfinding involves four stages: • Informative; and • Sustainable. 1. Orientation – the attempt to determine one’s location, in relation to objects that may be nearby The needs of different user groups will result in the 2. Route decision – the selection of a course of need for different approaches to wayfinding, as a direction to the destination pedestrian will differ from a cyclist who will differ from a car user. Therefore within this report, different users 3. Route monitoring – checking to make sure have been looked at separately, as well as some that the selected route is heading towards overall strategies recommended. the destination 4. Destination recognition – when the destina- tion is recognised Through navigation, people have to make a series of decisions. Wayfinding systems support users by providing reaffirmation along the journey. It is important to identify what information is required and where to effectively support users in their journey. Wayfinding is influenced by many factors, physical as well as intangible. Intrinsic wayfinding can be supported by good place making that demonstrates: • Key landmark features; • Accessible routes that support desire lines; • Creation and promotion of vistas to aid route promotion; • Public artwork; • Public squares; and • Consistency in material quality. 6 what is wayfinding? Tools for wayfinding come in a variety of forms from leaflets and online maps, interactive maps and information boards, public art and signage. Different styles and materials can help create a sense of place and be used as key design features within the landscape. ©Andrew Lang 7 policy context To understand how this legibility study and how the wayfinding strategy can be developed within the Parameter Plan current framework of planning policy and wayfinding South Shields 365 Masterplan 01 The Word documentation, the following has been considered: 02 Market Place 03 Interchange 04 Foodstore 05 MSCP 300 Spaces 06 Cinema / Restaurants • South Tyneside Local Plan; 07 Retail 08 Retail 09 Retail 10 Retail • 11 Retail 365 Masterplan and associated 12 Restaurant 13 Restaurant King Street documents and drawings; 14 Retail / Office 15 Restaurant River Drive InterchangeSquare • South Shields Riverside Regeneration 14 Keppel Street Plan; King Street 03 09 Fowler Street 08 • South Tyneside Destination Management 07 02 13 12 Plan; and A Ferry Street 01 B St. Hilda’s Cornwallis Street 15 Square 06 11 • Review of existing tourism and wayfinding 10 Harton Quays documents published on the South PFS Tyneside website. 05 Coronation Street Harton Quay Fowler Street 365 Masterplan Station Road Change is evident within South Shields as the first Beach Road phase of the 365 Masterplan was complete in October 04 2016 and included a new Central Library and Digital South Shields Town Hall Media Hub, known as ‘The Word’, improvements to the adjacent market place and new car parking along Ferry Street. Masterplan South Shields 365 Vision Client: Muse Developments / STC Crossgate Date: 06.2015 Phase 2 of the Masterplan will deliver a new transport Job/Dwg: 12569M_Outline_PP 01A Scale 1:1250-A1 THE HARRIS PARTNERSHIP interchange, together with a direct walkway link to a ARCHITECTS 2 St Johns North, Wakefield, WF1 3QA T: 01924 291 800 relocated Metro station on the intersection between F: 01924 290 072 www.harrispartnership.com Keppel Street and Fowler Street, approximately 80m from the existing metro station. The proposed Figure 2 - 365 Masterplan - Produced by The Harris Partnership on behalf of South Tyneside Council and Muse Developments interchange is detailed within the ‘South Shields 365 Town Centre Vision document’, published by South Tyneside Council and will increase the connectivity and permeability of the town to visitors, further increasing the importance of effective wayfinding. The ‘South Shields 365 Outline Masterplan Application Framework Travel Plan’ (2015) outlines the existing transport context within South Shields and proposes potential improvements to the local highway infrastructure in regard to sustainable transport 8 policy context comprising improving walking routes, cycling