Tell us the benefits of new cycle lanes

I NOTE Newcastle City Council considers the benefits to people’s health and to the local community far outweigh the criticisms of the new cycle lanes and reduction in road width to Gosforth High Street. No evidence has been produced to substantiate these assertions.

Frequently there is stationary or very slow-moving traffic from just past Blue House roundabout all the way to Regent Centre, causing far more pollution than when there were two lanes of moving traffic.

There are only occasional cyclists (sometimes cycling illegally on the pavement) but no more than previously.

Air quality tests must have been carried out. Please can we see figures taken at similar times of day for before and after the changes.

How has the local economy benefited, as asserted? My wife and I own a shop on Gosforth High Street (Thorpes) but have seen no increase in business following the alterations. Other shop-owners tell a similar story. Deliveries to shops are now more difficult, parking places have been reduced and access is generally more difficult than before. Again, please can we have some hard evidence to support the council’s claims.

Other local authorities have realised road alterations have not achieved the hoped-for result. How long will it be before Newcastle City Council can realise that moving, rather than idling, traffic creates less pollution and that encouraging people into an area boosts that economy.

FRED WILSON, Gosforth