Locals are being forced to “risk life and limb” at a notorious Newcastle junction, councillors have claimed.
Liberal Democrats have accused Newcastle City Council of making the Haddricks Mill double roundabout in South Gosforth more dangerous after a multi-million pound redesign. The city’s opposition party claimed the controversial reconfiguration has created a “nightmare” for nearby residents, but the council has vehemently denied the accusations and said its own evidence proved that Haddricks Mill is now substantially safer than it was.
The junction, near the Freeman Hospital, has long been known as one of Newcastle’s biggest bottlenecks and a collision hotspot. It recently underwent a £4m revamp that was completed in 2020, aimed at increasing its capacity and cutting congestion. But local councillor Henry Gallagher believes the area has become “much more dangerous” for the hundreds of residents who live on the Hunters Road estate, pinning the blame on the smaller of the two roundabouts being replaced by a painted circle that drivers can cut across.
