I don't care about an arena, we need a better high street - readers react to cash injection to Gateshead Quays project
Readers have had their say as plans for Gateshead’s Quays Arena complex has been given a boost.
Earlier this week the North East Mayor Kim McGuinness announced a £42m injection of funding to turbocharge creative industries across the North East.
This included a £24m funding package for the Gateshead Quays development on the South Bank of the River Tyne.
The investment marked a significant turning point in the project to bring a new major 12,500-15,000 seat arena to the region.
There were calls at the start of this year for the project to be abandoned, although these were rejected by Gateshead Council.
While the news has been praised by local MPs and local development leaders, NewcastleWorld readers have also had their say through social media.
“Just pull the flyover down and sort Gateshead town centre out” said Lorna Robinson. She added: “No one’s interested in the Quayside.
“They just want their pot holes and housing repairs fixed, the roads free to travel on and a safe town to shop in. [I] don’t know where the money for this new venture is coming from when there is no money to sort out the existing problems.”
Gary Stanger added: “Great news but how people getting there when the roads are no good around that area?”
Yvonne Pinkley also had her mind on the rest of Gateshead, saying: “Never mind the Quayside, what about Gateshead Town centre? It's a dump.”
Despite these reactions, others were more positive. Trey Stavers said the announcement was “great news” while Mark Robertson added the update was “amazing”.