New plans have been unveiled for a radical transformation of Newcastle’s most beautiful street, after the city’s new leadership had put the massive redesign under review.
Grey Street has been subject to some big changes over recent years that have been aimed at ultimately bringing forward a total pedestrianisation of the magnificent thoroughfare, with extra space having already been created for walkers, cyclists, and pavement cafes. Newcastle City Council’s big ambitions to overhaul the heart of the city centre had been thrown into doubt after a power shift at the civic centre that saw Nick Kemp replaced Nick Forbes as council leader earlier this year, as the new Labour chief pledged to rethink the “confused” Grey Street proposals.
But the local authority revealed revised plans for the busy Georgian route on Thursday morning, which will include:
- All pay and display parking being removed to reduce levels of traffic on the street;
- Pavements being permanently widened and the current bollards being removed;
- A dedicated northbound cycle lane, something campaigners had called for in January after it was removed from previous plans;
- New seats and ‘rain garden’ planting beds being installed;
- Dedicated loading bays for servicing and delivery to local businesses, which the council says it will consider being made available to disabled blue badge holders too.
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Work on the latest phase of Grey Street’s transformation is due to begin early next year and will not be finished until autumn 2024, a council spokeswoman confirmed. The local authority also confirmed that it does still ultimately want to remove all road vehicles from the route, calling the next stage of the redesign a “first step in our ambitions to fully pedestrianise Grey Street and link the world class Quayside to our city centre”.
Coun Jane Byrne, the council’s cabinet member responsible for transport and climate change, said: “The city council remains committed to deliver its long-term vision to transform the heart of Newcastle into a cleaner, greener, more welcoming place that’s easier to move around. I am very proud to be revealing the new plans for Grey Street following our review of the scheme as part of our commitment to a carbon neutral city for future generations.
“Our plans will bring people and nature together and make the best use of available space for people of all ages. It will significantly improve the landscape, with rain gardens and planting designed to enhance this magnificent street, while at the same time contributing to climate resilience and a reduced carbon footprint.
“The improvements will also support local business and help deliver economic growth for the whole city as well as providing opportunities that will enrich the city’s cultural offerings.”
The council said that the ‘rain garden’ beds would help reduce the risk of flooding on Grey Street, as well as improve biodiversity.
Thursday’s Grey Street announcement comes in the week after it was confirmed that the council was putting plans to pedestrianise Blackett Street on hold indefinitely. Those plans were due to be subject to a public inquiry because of objections from bus operator Stagecoach to the closure of the bus route, but have now been shelved until “such time as it can be fully funded and brought forward as part of a comprehensive package of measures to promote a connected, clean city”.
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