CLIMBDOWN
Council to make ‘significant’ changes to controversial traffic plans after admitting consultation error
GATESHEAD Council has announced a U-turn over controversial traffic measures which left drivers furious.
The move follows days of frustration as motorists endured long queues after work on alterations to the road and cycle network in Gateshead town centre started on Friday and saw the northbound part of the flyover closed off to motor vehicles.
Now, the authority has announced the flyover will reopen to northbound traffic next week as soon as it is “practical and safe” and to enable further consultation and analysis of traffic flow data to take place.
This comes after Gateshead Council’s leader Martin Gannon said “substantial” changes will be made after fierce opposition emerged to the changes.
Work had begun this to introduce new road layouts to the town centre to meet increasing demand for more cycling and walking space and in preparation to help meet air quality targets which are required to do by Government early in the new year.
The council previously said the works are needed to meet the increasing demand for more space for walking and cycling since the lockdown.
Coun Gannon said: “We’ve listened to the concerns raised by the public in the last few days and taken action to reopen the flyover. We need to take stock of the impact and have the opportunity for more and better consultation with residents and other road users.
“Clearly, we have tried to do too much, too quickly. From the start of this work, which is temporary and experimental, we’ve said we wanted feedback and we’ve listened to what is being said. The recent changes were designed to test road layouts which may be required to meet the clean air requirements set by government whist traffic is at lower levels following lockdown.
“Air quality is a real problem and we know we are going to have to make bold changes to manage traffic on the approach to the Tyne Bridge. Further consultation is needed as working together on a solution to address this major issue is important. We are already meeting with local campaigners to understand the issues and involve them in this process.
“While we are still managing the demands of Covid-19, we cannot forget that the climate change emergency and poor air quality are both major factors affecting the health of our local communities. Car journeys make a significant impact on air quality and we know we need to encourage and support people to use alternative means of travel if we are to improve air quality in Gateshead.”
Robin Lawson, whose petition against the changes attracted more than 5,000 signatures, said: “It’s a compromise and I wasn’t even expecting to get that.
“I’m very pleased they have listened to the public. I feel it’s best to take a step back and give them [Gateshead Council] a chance to implement the changes and see what happens next week.”