Drivers put foot down to ensure roadwork change
CITY COUNCIL CHANGES CLOSURES SCHEDULE AFTER FURY
NIGHTMARE road closures in Newcastle have been scaled back after local outrage – but drivers are still facing 10 months of heavy disruption.
Motorists were left stunned by plans revealed in August for a prolonged westbound closure of Stamfordham Road, which will force drivers using the busy commuter route into a “grand tour” of the area if they are heading towards Callerton and Ponteland.
But council bosses have now confirmed the route will still be left open to vehicles at peak times, with weekday construction work only taking place from 9.30am to 3.30pm and after 7pm.
However, that climbdown means the roadworks will last 10 months rather than the original seven – starting on Monday.
Diversions will be in place for westbound traffic on Stamfordham Road from its junction with North Wallbottle Road to its junction with Callerton Lane.
Vehicles will be diverted via Hillhead Road, Hexham Road, and Ponteland Road.
The closures are being imposed to allow construction of a new roundabout and other highway upgrades to serve the new 3,000home Callerton Park estate.
A Newcastle City Council spokesperson said: “Newcastle is growing and we need new housing developments such as this one in Callerton, bringing new families and communities to the area.
“Developments of this size means we need to have the right infrastructure in place to cope with the additional demand on our highways network, which is why the widening of Stamfordham Road was part of the planning conditions.
“We listened to the concerns of residents regarding the traffic management proposals and have asked the developers to introduce restrictions to minimise disruption to the travelling public during the construction period.
“A key part of this is ensuring that any full closures required are kept to offpeak hours where possible.
“However, in order to complete the works safely, one-way restrictions will need to be in place along a significant section of Stamfordham Road for a number of weeks.
“This will enable large sections of work to be undertaken and will shorten the overall period that the works will be in place for.”
After fury over the full road closures erupted this summer, council bosses met with builders ESH Group to come up with a less disruptive plan.
Chapel ward councillor Marc Donnelly, a fierce critic of the scheme, said: “While traffic will be able to operate both east and westbound during peak times, unfortunately off peak it will be closed for westbound traffic.
“This is, however, an improvement on the proposed full closure westbound. This will help to keep traffic flowing during the rush hour.
“I have a meeting next week to discuss the full detail of the proposal and can reassure residents that the matter will be monitored throughout.
“While the grand tour will still unfortunately be in place for part of the day during peak it should be easier.” Coun Marc Donnelly
This is an improvement on the proposed full closure westbound. This will help keep traffic flowing