The Labour-controlled City Council has agreed to press ahead with the
legal orders stage of its scheme to make traffic management changes to
the High Street. Liberal Democrat councillors have tried to challenge key
aspects of the plans by referring the matter to the Council’s scrutiny
committee and by putting a motion to Council. It was hoped that public
consultation could be reopened to address local concerns but the
suggestions put forward were voted down by Labour councillors.
West Gosforth councillors say they will put in objections when the
scheme is formally advertised. Cllr Jackie Slesenger said: ‘We cannot
support the proposals for the High Street as there are too many flaws
and we’re worried about the impact on residents’ amenity and
businesses.’
Gosforth councillors have hosted several meetings with local businesses who are seeking to mount a legal challenge. The
matter is being taken up by the local government ombudsman, following complaints made by some local residents.
Key areas of concern :
● The realignment of Salters Road junction and loss of half the car parking spaces at Salters Road car park: Liberal
Democrats are in favour of realigning the junction but want the road to be aligned differently to save parking
spaces and protect the trade of businesses, particularly in the north end of the High Street and Salters Road.
● The Council wants to replace some of the parking in near-by Ivy Road, Woodbine Road, West Avenue and Hawthorn
Road). Liberal Democrats are concerned that this will impact residents’ amenity.
● A red route (No stopping zone) in the High Street (running from 7 AM to 7 PM on weekdays). Liberal Democrats are
opposed to the design and operation of the scheme, having discussed the detail with local businesses.
● A non-statutory cycle route down the High Street with the carriageway narrowed to other traffic to accommodate it.
Buses and off-peak traffic will be able to park in the cycle lane. Liberal Democrats think that this scheme is flawed. A
statutory cycle route is proposed to the east of the High Street which is supported. In 2009, Liberal Democrats
proposed a scheme to widen pavements in the High Street and would wish to see this idea revisited as an
alternative to improve the environment for pedestrians.
West Gosforth councillors
continue to want action to
resolve a problem in The Drive,
near to Moor Place, Leslie
Crescent and the High Street.
For some time now, heavy
goods vehicles accessing this
narrow section have been
mounting the pavements,
causing damage and leaving the
pedestrian access as a potential
hazard. Officers say that legal
restrictions for heavy good vehicles’ access would also
stop deliveries too, so they are now looking at potential
highways work. A scheme is to be designed and costed up.
Just as FOCUS was going to print the Council was notified of a
major plan to convert office space at the Regent Centre. The
plan, affecting most of the major office blocks on the north
side of the Regent Farm Road part of the complex, would see
office accommodation converted into 400 housing units.
Under new legislation, aimed at freeing up so-called
brownfield sites for housing, no planning permission is
required. West Gosforth councillors have asked for
clarification of any time-frames involved. Cllr Bill Shepherd
said: ‘This would be quite a change in the local environment
and residents will have views about it. Overall, we are in
favour of brownfield development over building on the
green-belt, but obviously we’re interested to understand the
impact. The major issues will no doubt be traffic-related and
we’ll be in touch with residents about the issues.’
Printed by Kaptech, The Beacon, Newcastle, NE4 9PQ. Published and
promoted by Bill Shepherd on behalf of Jackie Slesenger and Nick Cott
(Liberal Democrats) at 27, Bath Terrace, Newcastle, NE3 1UH.
Consultation has been undertaken about a planning application to create an
access for road vehicles between St Nicholas’ hospital grounds and Princes
Meadow, with the access being adjacent to the Ashgrove building. The
hospital says that the proposal comes from a risk assessment exercise in
relation to the ‘Thunder Thursday’ incident in 2012; it would only be an
access in an emergency to allow an evacuation of the hospital site. West
Gosforth councillors have met with senior staff at the hospital to discuss
local concerns, as residents nearby worry that the access would become a
more general one, allowing traffic unrestricted movement through to
Kenton Road. In response, the hospital staff say that the access will be
secured with robust bollards. Councillors have also spoken to planners at
the Council to ask whether it is possible to create planning conditions to ensure no general road route is possible. At
the time of writing a decision on the application is imminent.
Residents are also concerned about the future of Ashgrove building, formerly a nursing home. Administration staff
have been moved into the building for a temporary period, whilst a review takes place. At present, the hospital
management says that the intention would be to use the building for clinical services, but no firm decision will be
made until after the General Election.
Residents have raised a number of concerns
about the traffic changes at the Regent Centre
interchange and at Hollywood Avenue. Since
the removal of the roundabout traffic flow has
been disrupted, with massive tailbacks including
along the Great North Road and access to it
along Regent Farm Road. Liberal Democrat
councillors in the area have requested
discussion with the traffic planners to deal with
the issues. So far they have advised that the
current roadworks in the area are causing
delays and the full impact of the changes
cannot be understood until they have been
removed. The Council says it is monitoring the
new arrangements, particularly to understand
the impact of recently installed box junctions.
West Gosforth councillors have met with
representatives from Asda in Wansbeck Road
to discuss on-going issues with deliveries early
in the morning causing nuisance to residents.
In preparation for the meeting Asda withdrew
its planning application to extend the early
deliveries and, at the meeting itself, agreed to
a further meeting, this time with residents.
Local councillors have asked whether Asda
would be prepared to stop its vehicles
accessing the site via Regent Farm Road, and to take an alternative
route, via Wansbeck Road, rather than cutting through the estate.
They also asked whether Asda might be prepared to fund
environmental improvements around the shops in the area. The
supermarket is looking into both of these suggestions.
Council officers have advised there is to be a
procurement exercise to determine what traffic
speed display equipment will be used across the
city in the future. This means
that the equipment in Salters
Road will not be repaired for
the moment. The timeframe
Local
councillors are involved for this exercise is
not currently known.
meeting with
Consultation is taking place in relation to a traffic scheme for the
Elmfield Road and Parker Avenue area. The scheme includes waiting
restrictions (double yellow lines) mainly, affecting the south side of
Elmfield Road between North Avenue and Westfield Drive, the
junctions of Westfield Drive, and Parker Avenue. The scheme along
Parker Avenue affects sections near to The Elms, Elmfield Square and
an area close to Beechfield Road (including the junction). The scheme
includes the installation of bollards opposite Westfield school. The
scheme is an amalgamation of road traffic management changes
requested by residents and raised with West Gosforth councillors.
the Empire
Bowling Club in
Jubilee Road to
discuss access
to the site. The
Club wants to
make the
entrance more
accessible and
are looking for
funds.
A number of residents have expressed concerns about the loss of street
trees in the area. There have been a number of trees felled in North
Avenue and a significant tree is likely to be felled in West Avenue. The
reason for the loss is due to disease but the Council has said that there is
no money for any replacements, meaning that over time the character
of the environment would change. West Gosforth councillors are
concerned that the Council is not implementing its own tree policy and
are investigating opportunities to attract external funding as well as
putting pressure on the Council to re-examine the issue.
Local councillor, Nick Cott, has been chosen to contest the General
Election in Newcastle Central, which includes West Gosforth ward. Nick
grew up in the Tyne Valley, but has lived in Gosforth since 1997. He has
been a councillor in the area for fifteen years.
Outside of politics, Nick is a history lecturer for the Open University,
working with students mainly online. He has recently completed a
British political history PhD.
Nick has particular policy interests in education and children’s social
care, having served as Newcastle City Council's lead member for children
and young people between 2004 and 2011, and as a member of a
ministerial advisory group 2010-2012. In West Gosforth ward, he has
built a reputation for hard work on behalf of residents. Nick has supported community groups and initiatives, most
recently in serving on a steering group which led to the installation of Trinity Square in the High Street.
Nick said: "I am delighted to have been selected to fight Newcastle Central at the General Election. It will be good to
put forward the Liberal Democrat perspective on politics in the constituency and to address the issues important to
local people.”
Council highways budgets have been
shrunk from £1.5 million for the whole
city, under the previous Liberal Democrat
administration of the Council, to just
under £300,000 in the coming year, as the
Council budgets continue to decline. The
on-going funding difficulties have left a
major backlog of repairs. In the local area,
some of the worst cases have been
repaired, following consultation with West
Gosforth councillors, including road
repairs at Northumberland Avenue,
Hawthorn Road West, West Avenue and
around the Westfield area, but there is a
lot more to do. West Gosforth councillors
have met highways officers who have
calculated that the ward should really be
provided with sufficient resource to
provide major repairs to roads, amounting
to an estimated cost of £46,000 this year,
and £49,000 for pavements. The
councillors have put aside funding from
their ward budget to help to deal with the
issue, but this will only support funding of
some £20,000. Two pavement schemes
have been identified for Regent Road (east
side) and Princes Meadow (at the
entrance). Cllr Jackie Slesenger said: ‘We
realise that budgets are very tight but it
has been really difficult to get officers to
agree to us using our ward budget to help.
Unfortunately, our budget will be cut over
the next few years and this may be the last
year we can fund work of this sort, as ward
budgets will have to prioritise community
projects and activities.’
Residents in Brackenfield Road,
Bloomsbury Court, Meadowfield Road,
Briarfield Road and Northfield Road have
taken part in a survey about the
introduction of residents’ permit parking.
The survey was paid for through funding
originally obtained from the approval of
the Northern Rock extension, almost a
decade ago. Consultation received a 89%
turnout and 71% of residents rejected
the scheme, which means the Council has
abandoned plans to move to the next
stage of detailed design.
There are other areas that have
requested consultation on permit
parking, most notably Princes Meadow,
due to hospital-related parking. Officers
say they will survey the area in the next
financial year when consideration is given
to the detailed design of a waiting
restrictions scheme at junctions in the
estate already requested by West
Gosforth councillors. The Council’s own
rules mean that a survey of public
opinion will only be undertaken if 60% of
the available street parking area is
regularly occupied by vehicles.
West Gosforth councillors
have been discussing with
officers the future
maintenance of shrub beds
across the ward. In locations
such Kingsmere, Weldon
Way, and Henry Street
residents have made
complaints. During the
discussion, councillors were
made aware that there is
currently no provision for
regular maintenance in the
summer months, which
accounts for why they have
become so overgrown. The
local staff that used to maintain
the areas are no longer in post.
All this means that, in some
locations, residents may prefer
to have shrubs removed, and for
the area to be grassed over.
Local councillors are keen to
discuss options with residents.
West Gosforth councillors are reporting that community buildings are unlikely to be
closed as a result of successful bids reaching an advanced stage of scrutiny. In the
case of Coxlodge Community Centre, in Jubilee Road, the existing management
committee has pulled together proposals which will see the Centre continue to run as
it is, so continuing to be a home to an extensive programme of community activities.
At the Civic Hall, in Regent Farm Road and Irton Street, an organisation called
‘Liberdade’ (a theatre company, working with people with learning disabilities) is
hoping to move in. Should Liberdade be successful, proper theatre seating will be
reinstalled in the main hall and exhibition space will be provided for creative arts. Cllr
Nick Cott said: ‘We have all our fingers and toes crossed that all will work out at this
advanced stage. We have been working with the Council over the proposals and
welcome the efforts of all to keep community assets available in Gosforth.’
Your Homes Newcastle has abandoned plans to introduce separate cleaning charges
in low rise blocks across the city, following opposition. Residents in Bamburgh Walk,
Craster Square and Jubilee Road flats signed a petition against the proposals. West
Gosforth councillors have welcomed the move. Cllr Bill Shepherd said: ‘This is a good
outcome but it is possible that YHN might come back with something similar in the
future. My colleagues and I will let residents know if we hear of anything.’
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Please return to: West Gosforth Liberal Democrats, 35 Hedley Terrace,
Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne. NE3 1DP
The West Gosforth ward
committee has been working with
local organisations to provide
grants for community initiatives.
Recently, discussion has taken
place with All Saints Church in
West Avenue and Linden Road,
about a grant to help to pay for a
new heating system for the rooms
rented out to the community. A
discussion has taken place with
the nearby Gosforth Tennis Club
about using health improvement
funding to pay for some tennis
coaching sessions involving local
schools. Trinity Church in the High
Street is asking for assistance to
pay for a tree base to help ensure
that the Trinity Christmas tree can
be mounted in the new Square
this year.
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