Closed bridges may look
NEW images have revealed how five Newcastle bridges could look if controversial plans to ban traffic on rat runs go ahead.
Newcastle City Council is set to close five crossings in residential neighbourhoods to vehicles from next Thursday, August 13, in an effort to cut pollution and create safer space for walking and cycling.
The affected sites will be Salters Bridge in Gosforth, Castle Farm Road next to Jesmond Dene, Haldane Bridge in Jesmond, the Argyle Street Bridge near Manors Metro station, and Stoneyhurst Bridge in South Gosforth. The last closure in particular has sparked a fierce debate among locals, some of whom fear that cutting off access will lead to heavy congestion on surrounding roads.
But a new Safer Stoneyhurst campaign group in favour of the closure has urged neighbours to give the changes a chance, saying it has been “dismayed at the level of unpleasant and aggressive opposition” to the plans, as well as “misinformation” being spread, and called for “a much more reasonable debate”.
Safer Stoneyhurst’s Armelle Tardiveau said: “The closure of Stoneyhurst Bridge is a blessing for my children who have reached the age of walking and cycling independently to school, friends and activities.
“They will finally be able to do so, safely knowing that motor traffic will be much lower and slower.”
Suzanne McGregor, who has led the campaign against the bridge closure, said many residents “prefer not to be the subject of an experiment”.
The five closures are being imposed under experimental orders by the council and public consultation will only start in the first six months after the bridges are shut.
Mrs McGregor claimed that there can be “room for all” on Stoneyhurst Bridge and has argued that it does not suffer from rat-running in the same way that Salters Bridge does.
She added: “For those residents who live on the east side of the bridge and need to use a car, it [the closure] is a safety issue as it offers direct access to traffic lights to exit from the Grove onto Church Road. Alternative exits are from Dene Crescent on a steep hill that is lethal in winter to a fast road or down one of four terraces potentially polluting the air of those who live there.”
Concrete barriers will be placed on the five bridges to block traffic on Thursday, with the barriers seen in the newly-released images then installed in the week of August 17.
Council transport boss Arlene Ainsley has agreed to meet with residents on either side of the debate, but no date has been set for that meeting.
A council spokesperson added: “Road transport is responsible for a third of our city’s carbon emissions, and is the main reason for poor air quality. By restricting traffic, in these areas we believe it will help create safer, cleaner and greener neighbourhoods and encourage more walking and cycling which has huge environmental and health benefits for everyone.
“We’re listening to the public which is why we have a six month public consultation, where people can tell us their views, which will inform whether or not we make the closures permanent.
“We encourage everyone to engage with us constructively both on these changes, and others we will be bringing forward across the city.” ■ Let us know your thoughts on the proposals by filling in the short survey on our website by visiting tinyurl.com/y2tr2nfe