Change is coming to Heaton months after the end of the Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scheme was scrapped - but ChronicleLive readers say that the proposed changes could be "confusing" and "difficult" for residents in our comments section.
Newcastle City Council revealed its plans on Monday, centred around Heaton Park Road. The plans include the creation of new one-way routes in the area, upgraded pedestrian access, and parking restrictions.
The LTN scheme was scrapped after the council decided that too much traffic was being diverted to surrounding areas, but there is still local support from those who want an end to "rat-runs" in Heaton. Councillors say that teams will be asking residents for their input over 6 weeks, with plans for a formal consultation later in the year.
Reader GraemeKing writes: "I find the new proposals confusing. So many one-way streets, and difficult to see how anybody is going to navigate around. But the consultation is a good chance to make it all better. We also need to address the proposed cycle routes out of the park. There will be conflict with Warwick St and Heaton Park View traffic."
Commenter Books999 isn't convinced: "LTNs don't work all they do is cause more problems elsewhere, why have they removed them from Jesmond, Gosforth and Heaton? And now they to bring them back again, typical Labour council for the few not the many."
ResidentWeevil disagrees: "No, every single study has shown that LTNs achieve every single objective they set out. Yes, there is a small increase in traffic surrounding the LTN, but that's also the point. The car rights lobby has far too much sway - the council need to hold their nerve and tell them to go away."
Bored Dave says: "I'm not sure what proposals are needed to 'improve walking' in that area, surely you just start on the pavement, put one foot in front of the other, and carry on walking along the pavements until you get to where you want to be. There are no difficult crossings or anything to worry about."
Heaton64 writes: "The LTN was supported widely in Heaton - and it met the Council's stated aims on sustainable traffic, safety etc. These new proposals are just a face saving exercise and they are so tiny - they are 'consulting' on a few metres of dropped pavements. - as to be embarrassing. We need new council officers, people who have a commitment to delivering the Council's policies."
The proposal for Heaton includes -
- One-way streets on Cardigan Terrace, Falmouth Road, Stannington Grove, and the back lanes off Heaton Park View, to avoid them being used as through routes while still allowing residents access to their properties;
- A new crossing with wider pavements on Heaton Park View to provide better access to Heaton Park;
- A widened entrance to Heaton Park at the main gates just off Heaton Park Road;
- A new pavement on Newington Road to provide a safe walking route from City Stadium to the playground, Ouseburn Community Centre and Hotspur Primary School;
- Double yellow lines on Newington Road to remove parked cars;
- A raised crossing on Newington Road to help slow traffic down and provide a safer crossing point;
- A parking permit scheme to prevent commuter vehicles parking on residential streets;
- Two-way traffic will continue on Heaton Park View, with the council saying that has “helped to reduce traffic on back lanes and has also been seen to reduce the volume of traffic using Heaton Park Road, which is a main local bus route and where people access shops and other services”.
Council bosses said they have learned from previous controversies surrounding LTNs, which generated fierce debate in Jesmond and Fenham as well. The LTN name has been dropped from their new plans, branded now as “Sustainable Spaces and Places”, and the local authority has committed to carrying out detailed consultations with residents before any scheme is enacted instead of using experimental traffic orders to impose them quickly.
Battles over roadway redesigns can be tricky and heated - so who should get the final say? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.
