Hit-and-run driver urged to call police
A HIT-AND-RUN driver fled the scene of a crash in Blaydon – and Northumbria Police is urging the individual responsible to come forward.
The force were called to the scene of the collision on Blaydon Bank at about 7.40pm on Thursday.
Officers found there had been a collision between a white Renault Clio and a black estate-type vehicle.
The driver of the black car then left the scene without stopping, and the driver of the Clio has contacted Northumbria Police.
Nobody was injured in the evening collision. Northumbria Police is now asking the driver to contact the force on 101, quoting log 1071 14/03/19. A RUMOURED expansion of Newcastle’s Christmas markets would be a “disaster” for local traders, fears one of the city centre’s most recognisable figures.
Well-known fruit and veg seller Albert Sayers, whose family business dates back to the 19th Century, is urging council bosses to protect local traders, amid talk of major changes to the festive markets this year.
The veteran trader fears the Christmas markets may be expanded from their usual position around Grey’s Monument to run along Blackett Street and also up Northumberland Street, where his greengrocers’ stall has long been a fixture.
Newcastle City Council has revealed that it is “firming up” plans to expand the annual attraction, though no details have been confirmed. However, it is the authority’s long-held ambition to pedestrianise Blackett Street and council leader Nick Forbes spoke last year of it potentially housing a “different kind of Christmas market”. But Mr Sayers, also a spokesman for the Barrow Traders Association, says that small, local traders are already “dying every day” due to the increasing number of supermarkets in the city and that an expanded Christmas market encroaching on their space would exacerbate the problem.
The 70-year-old said: “A lot of customers like the Christmas market because it is something different. But they are effectively food markets and at the moment they are outside the Grainger Market. I have heard that this year they are taking it right up Blackett Street and, to rub salt into the wounds, they are talking about it continuing up Northumberland Street too. The disruption will be massive. To me, it is completely ridiculous.”
While the council has promised that any changes will not provide direct competition to existing street traders, Mr Sayers says the Christmas markets “always cause problems”.
He added: “There is no consultation from the council with the Barrow Traders Association.
“I have nothing against the Christmas markets if they are in the right place. They could be elsewhere, put them in the Bigg Market or on the Quayside, but not where there are existing markets. Putting them right in the city centre affects small traders. My family is one of the longest trading in Newcastle and probably in England, I have been here since I was 10 years old. I know how things works and this is not working. As much as Newcastle City Council want to say it is a success, I think it is a disaster.”
A council spokesman said: “The city council and its partners have big ambitions to make Newcastle a world-class shopping and leisure destination.
“Integral to this is building upon the success of its Christmas markets which increase footfall and attract thousands of visitors throughout November and December.
“We are currently firming up these plans and will make an announcement in due course.
“We would like to reassure street traders that our plans are to widen the city’s offer and not offer more of the same, creating a unique visitor experience.”