A petition demanding the removal of controversial bollards that have blocked traffic from using several streets in Jesmond has been backed by 1,700 people in just a few days.
Controversy has raged over the area’s new Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) since it was installed in March, sparking fury among many locals who say it has resulted in congestion chaos. The scheme prevents motorists from cutting through residential roads to get between Osborne Road and the Cradlewell, with the aim of making those streets safer and less polluted for pedestrians, cyclists, and children.
But Antony Baird, who set up the change.org petition on Saturday, alleged that the LTN had impeded emergency services, was “damaging livelihoods and businesses”, and had increased traffic on surrounding streets – particularly the main arteries of Osborne Road and Jesmond Road. The 60-year-old, of Jesmond Vale, called for the scheme to be axed immediately and for the council to run “thorough, transparent and unbiased public consultation” ahead of any future plans, with many complainants having accused the local authority of not giving sufficient notice of the measures.
