A new one-way traffic system has come into force at a popular country park.
Work has been taking place at the Rising Sun Country Park, in Benton, over the past few months and the improvements are now complete.
The new system came into operation from 8am on Monday, March 25.
The vehicle entrance to the park remains the same, leaving the A191 Whitley Road near the Asda car park. However, cars are no longer able to return the same way.
Exit is now via a new road leading from the existing car park to the new roundabout on the A191 Holystone Way road.
Other improvements at the site include road widening, traffic calming measures, pedestrian crossings and new signage directing people through the one-way system.
Northumberland Estates has been working on the project in conjunction with North Tyneside Council and the Rising Sun Country Park team.
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As well as the road improvements, the developers have provided an extra 35 hectares to extend the park and help increase recreation opportunities, enhance biodiversity and improve farming activities.
Barry Spall, development planner at Northumberland Estates, said: "A big part of the plans for the extension to the Rising Sun Country Park have been to improve access for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders as well as vehicles.
"The new one-way road system has been designed not just to improve traffic movement in and out of the park, but also to make pedestrian access safer and easier.
"It has taken many months to complete engineering works at the park, including the road construction, signage and fencing.
"The next phase of improvements are now ongoing and will include the planting of nearly 200 trees, 32,000 hedge plants and 5,500 woodland shrubs and plants by Northumberland Estates. An official opening is planned for September 2019."
Coun Carl Johnson, the council's cabinet member for transport and the environment, added: "These improvements will make an already cherished green space even more attractive and accessible for visitors and give the country park more room to grow.
"We look forward to seeing the work take shape."
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