Members will be aware that a temporary segregated cycle lane was created along Gosforth High Street during lockdown. That was then removed to improve the flow of buses – with no provision for cycling along the central High Street section.
The Council is now consulting on a further phase of changes to the High Street, ostensibly aiming to improve road safety, create better public transport links and encourage walking and cycling. The main focus appears to be on further improving bus travel, with the cycling measures being focused on routes to and alongside the High Street, rather than along it.
Consultation runs until 27 April 2025.
The listed ‘Cycling Enhancements’ are:
- A new cycle lane along Christon Road.
- A segregated two-way cycle track on Great North Road between Hollywood Avenue and Christon Road.
- Introducing a cycle connection between Gosforth Central Park and the High Street along St Nicholas Avenue.
The Council are also consulting on potential traffic management options, which are likely to be controversial:
- Options to close Moorfield to vehicles near its intersection with Moor Road or close Moor Road at the Great North Road junction.
- Closing the junction of West Avenue and High Street to vehicles with an exemption for cycles.
The proposals can be viewed and responses submitted at:
https://www.letstalknewcastle.co.uk/consultations/544/participate
There are also drop-in consultation sessions:
Wednesday 2 April – 3 till 6pm – in Trinity Church, High Street, Gosforth (access through the café)
Monday 7 April – 5 till 8pm – in Café 1901, Trinity Church, High Street, Gosforth
Newcastle Cycling Campaign will be submitting a response. Please send your views, and copies of any responses we submit, to [email protected] so we can reflect your thoughts in our response.