The city council is proposing to make some changes to a section of Jesmond Dene Road and Matthew Bank. You can see plans for the scheme at https://new.newcastle.gov.uk/travel/improvements/jesmonddeneroad.
You can show your support and add comments online at new.newcastle.gov.uk/travel/yoursay by including reference TM065-N96-SB before 11:59pm on Sunday 12 April 2026
Our thoughts
The proposals look very good and will be a welcome addition to the city’s cycle network. The changes will open up a number of routes that are currently off putting for people trying to get between Jesmond and Gosforth where Jesmond Dene Road can be a barrier. The addition of a protected cycle lane on Matthew bank will make getting to and from the Freeman Hospital safer for some people too.
We had the following comments on the proposed plans.
At the north end of the scheme at the junction with Castles Farm Road some people may want to continue north alone Dene Terrace and beyond by rejoining the main carriageway. It would be easy to do that by exiting the junction and turning right, but there is currently a banned right turn there. That could do with an ‘Except Cycles’ addition so people can continue legally.
Towards the other end of the proposed scheme the new setup at Moorfield is a good improvement for anybody heading to or coming from Gosforth High St area from eastern parts of Jesmond. If implemented there would be a protected route from Moorfield towards Jesmond Dene which would be a big improvement over the current option of a right turn with a wait in the centre of the road on a busy corner. The reverse journey would no longer require somebody cycling to have to move into the second lane, and waiting in the middle of the road to turn right which can be an intimidating experience. The separate lane and lights for cycling will be a lot safer.
Some people on cycles will be passing through the full length of the proposed scheme, for example coming from the Freeman Hospital and going towards West Jesmond or areas to the west of the city centre. For those people linking up with Brentwood Gardens/Highbury will be important.
For people travelling west, some may choose to carry straight on at the Moorfield junction. There’s provision for that at the junction with Moorfield, which is good. However, at the end of Osborne Road is a dedicated left turn lane from Jesmond Dene Road which causes problems when cycling. With only one lane on the main carridgway leading up to this junction we’d question if two lanes are really needed at the junction. If not the cycle lane could be continued as a single direction cycle lane.
For people travelling east it might be useful to add some sort of signage to indicate the safest route is via Illford Road/Moorfield rather than joining Jesmond Dene Road as there isn’t a way to end up in the cycle lane after the junction if somebody chooses the latter.
Pedestrian Improvements
The proposals don’t just improve things for people who are cycling. The new crossing at the end of Osbourn Road will fix a glaring omission by finally providing a way for people walking to cross safely.
Additional crossings near Beatty Avenue, Friday Fields Lane and Illford Road will all help to provide safer options for people walking in the area.
Let the council know you support safer cycling
Let the council know if you support these proposals. You can show your support and add comments online at new.newcastle.gov.uk/travel/yoursay by including reference TM065-N96-SB.
Responses need to be sent by 11:59pm on Sunday 12 April 2026