City bosses have promised meaningful talks with locals over how to save the “dying” Gosforth High Street.
Newcastle City Council revealed plans in September to finally get rid of the heavily-criticised bollards that have lined the high street for more than two years. However, that was swiftly met with a backlash from campaigners upset at a lack of a cycle lane in the new proposals and from local councillors fearful that the authority would “repeat the mistakes of the past” if residents were not consulted first.
With final designs for what will happen to the high street once the bollards are removed in 2023 yet to be unveiled, calls were made this week for a new unity to help restore the high street to its former glory. City councillors unanimously backed a motion on Wednesday night committing the authority to “urgently” deliver upgrades on the thoroughfare – but not without “meaningful engagement with local residents about the options and impacts of various schemes”.
Gosforth Lib Dem councillor Tom Woodwark told a full council meeting that any future plans must cut pollution, bring empty shops back to life, and create an “exemplar” safe space for all road users. He added that too many past schemes have been “enforced” by the council and failed to win public support as a result.
Parklands ward representative Christine Morrissey said she had “lost count” of the number of complaints about the “confusing” state of the high street, which was once a thriving shopping destination in its heyday. The council’s ruling Labour group were happy to back the Lib Dem motion, and added a commitment to increase the number of trees and plants on the street, with cabinet member Jane Byrne pledging to work with councillors, businesses, and the community to deliver the changes.
Labour councillor Shumel Rahman, who was born and brought up in Gosforth, condemned the “scary” level of air pollution in the area now and called the existing layout an “eyesore”. He added: “It is clogged with traffic, it is clogged with pollution. Unfortunately, I am going to say it is dying to an extent and we really need to revitalise it. It could be a destination again for our residents.”
Lib Dem Phil Hall said Gosforth residents “don’t understand” the bollard system, which cut the road down from four lanes of traffic to two in order to give more social distancing space to pedestrians and cyclists during the pandemic. He also aimed a not-so–subtle barb at Tory activist Doc Anand, who dressed as a traffic cone in his push to have the bollards removed, taking aim at “opportunist, self-promoting, costume-wearing agitators”.
The Conservative campaigner remarked afterwards that “I don’t mind the jibes”, but called on the council to “do something quickly”.
In September, the council said it hoped to widen pavements on the high street to make room for new seats and planting. It was announced that the changes would be made early in 2023, under an initial trial period lasting up to 18 months while the council gathers feedback and bids for funding to pay for a “long term enhancement”.
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