We’ve been talking quite a bit about the Local Transport Plan and things may well change in the final version, but we thought it would be useful to highlight some of the specific projects and funding allocations for active travel in Newcastle detailed in the delivery plan.
£20 million
Delivery of community based active travel opportunities.
2027
£16 million
Consideration of the potential for active and sustainable solutions on the Coast Road.
2027
£25.75 million
Investment in public transport, walking and cycling to enable a zero carbon central Newcastle.
2027
£37.5 million
Investment in top priority LCWIP routes and junctions.
2027
£3 million
Sustainable permanent mitigations for the Tyne Bridge. Access arrangements at Cowhill, Jesmond, New Bridge Street and Pilgrim St for Buses, cyclists and pedestrians.
2030
Our sums make that almost £100 million for active travel to be delivered in Newcastle in less than three years. An incredible opportunity and a massive investment, but so far worryingly lacking in detail. “Consideration of the potential” doesn’t even suggest anything might even be built…
In comparision other authorities have a larger number of very specific active travel interventions, itemised and costed in the delivery plan.
With the Pilgrim Street scheme 6+ months overrun while delivering barely 200m of cycle track when completed and £2.1 million of active travel funding to paint a white line on Grey Street as just two examples, we’re very anxious to see the detail in the forthcoming Transport Strategy Implementation Plan.