Much-loved Tyneside site on list to find UK's favourite path

Tyneside has made the shortlist in a national search for Britain’s favourite path after the pedestrian Tyne Tunnel was singled out for praise.

The hunt for the best path in the country is being conducted by the Ramblers walking charity, and the final choice will be made by public vote, which is now open. The pedestrian tunnel is up against seven other contenders around England, Scotland and Wales, including the Clyde Walkway in Scotland, the South West Coast Path and Hafren Forest in Wales.

The Pennine Way and the route between Loughrigg Fell to Todd Crag are also shortlisted. Voting will be open until midnight on October 6 with the winner announced later in the month.

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“Over the summer, we’ve searched for Britain’s favourite path. Hundreds have submitted their perfect paths but now it’s time for the public to decide,” said a Ramblers spokesperson. “Whether criss-crossing the countryside or weaving through our cities, paths have connected us with nature, and each other, for centuries. It’s time for them to have their moment in the sun.

“Our panel of expert judges have been hard at work, whittling down all of the fantastic entries we received into a shortlist of eight.”

Construction of the tunnels between Jarrow and Howdon began in 1947. Two shafts were sunk, one on each bank, before the connecting tunnels were excavated by miners operating in compressed air.

The tunnels were opened as part of the North East’s contribution to the Festival of Britain, and cost £833,000. For years they provided a route for thousands of workers to cross the river to work in the shipyards and factories that then lined the Tyne, with around 20,000 people a day using the tunnels at their peak.

The tunnels closed for refurbishment in 2013, and re-opened on August 7 2019. The pedestrian tunnel has a 3.2 m diameter with a larger 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in) diameter tunnel for pedal cyclists. Both tunnels are 270 m in length, and lie 12 m below the river bed, at their deepest point.