City centre road closing for revamp

A BUSY city centre bus route will be closed for more than three weeks as work to widen the road begins.

Newgate Street will be shut to all vehicles from today by Newcastle City Council.

The work will see the single lane section of road outside the Gate and Debenhams widened so traffic can travel in both directions.

Traffic signals and crossing points on Newgate Street will also be upgraded.

The road - which is only open to buses and taxis - will be closed to all vehicles for most of the work.

Bus passengers are warned that services normally using that route will be diverted.

The closure will be in two stages, from today until May 18, and again from May 21 for a further two weeks.

After that, remaining work will be carried with the road open or partially open.

The road will be opened on May 19-20 when the Dacia Magic Weekend returns for the fourth consecutive year, bringing thousands of rugby league fans to the city.

This will avoid Newgate Street being closed at the same time as a number of road closures are in place around St James’ Park.

Marshall Poulton, assistant director of transport at the council, said: “The improvements on Newgate Street are part of our plan for better and more efficient public transport routes in the city.

“We have planned the works to be carried out in two phases which will enable us to pause work and re-open the road when the Dacia Magic Weekend takes place.

“While the road is closed, bus services that normally go along Newgate Street will be re-routed and we would advise passengers to check with their bus company for details of any changes.

“Once the works are completed, buses and taxis will be able to travel in both directions along Newgate Street so they will see reduced waiting times and more efficient journeys.”

On Saturday, May 19 there will also be a series of short-term road closures on St Mary’s Place, Percy Street, Blackett Street, Northumberland Road and John Dobson Street for a parade by RAF Boulmer to take place.

These closures will be between 11.30am and 12.30pm and the roads will re-open as soon as it is safe to do so after the parade has passed through.