Following today&#39;s (31 January) confirmation that the scheme will be removed, we have produced some frequently asked questions below: Why was the decision made to remove the road closures before the end of the trial? The main reason we are removing the closures is due to the journey time increases travelling from Jesmond Road to Osborne Road. Despite significant reductions in traffic in the low traffic zone, issues have been raised by those living within the zone about congestion and lengthened journeys and local businesses have advised that the measures have impacted on trade. What evidence was there to support this decision? Westbound journey times on the Coast Road show that the journey time between Benfield Road and Sandyford Road during the am peak is over 10 mins, a 28% increase on 2019 data. In the pm peak, the journey times were recorded at nearly 7 mins, which is 70% higher than the baseline period. What did feedback from the formal consultation say? The formal consultation ran for the first seven months of the trial. Over 23,000 opinions were expressed during the consultation period, via written correspondence, Commonplace contributions, and Let’s Talk Newcastle. Most respondents, up to 77%, believed the measures should not be made permanent; and that they had not made the area safer, cleaner, and greener. Will traffic surveys continue to monitor the area? Yes. Further traffic surveys will be undertaken in the area to help with future proposals. What will be done now about speeding, parking and traffic safety issues? As well as counting volume, traffic counters also collect speed information so that problem areas can be identified. Immediate concerns about speeding should be reported to Northumbria Police, who are responsible for enforcing the speed limit. To report parking issues, contact Parking Services at the council on 0191 277 7799 or email parking.cs@newcastle.gov.uk What will be done now about peak-time issues with school traffic? We are aware of the issues in the area with peak-time traffic. We will continue to investigate these issues using our traffic survey data, consultation feedback and by listening to residents. We will look at solutions to these issues with residents, as part of the next stage of proposals for the area. What will happen next?  We plan to start discussions with residents about future potential proposals to deal with traffic issues later this year. How do we get involved? You can also email the transport team if you have any questions at neighbourhoods@newcastle.gov.uk Do sign up to the Commonplace website for updates at https://safejesmondeast.commonplace.is

FAQs – Jesmond Neighbourhood Low Traffic Zone

A neighbourhood low traffic zone that aimed to reduce the number of vehicles using residential streets in Jesmond will be removed. Newcastle City Council has today (31 January) confirmed that the scheme will not be implemented on a permanent basis following a 10-month pilot. The neighbourhood low traffic zone was introduced in March 2023 with residential streets closed to through traffic between Osborne Road and Cradlewell. It aimed to make streets safer, cleaner and greener by preventing drivers from cutting through local streets. This would see vehicles re-routed to more appropriate routes, while encouraging more people to walk and cycle on local journeys. The city council have confirmed that the pilot had achieved many of the objectives set out when introducing the scheme. However, their data monitoring highlighted some residents experienced congestion and lengthened journey time. Local businesses also told them it had impacted their trade. The council has confirmed the measures will now be removed and learning from this scheme used in future transport schemes. More than 23,000 residents responded to the consultation and up to 77 per cent of those opposed the changes in Jesmond. Cllr Marion Williams, cabinet member for a Connected, Clean City, says the scheme would only have been made permanent if it worked for local people. She said: “Low traffic neighbourhoods were introduced because communities told us they wanted their streets to be safer, cleaner and greener. “The streets involved in the Jesmond scheme have seen significant reductions in traffic and we have achieved many of the objectives of the project. “However, anything we introduce needs to work for local people and it is clear that some aspects of this scheme have failed to do that. “We carried out an open consultation because our residents have a voice. You can help shape our decision making and we have listened to that feedback. “But it is not the consultation alone that has led to this decision. All evidence gathered, including the data monitoring, has been considered. “Those residents who supported the pilot will be disappointed. We know you felt your streets were safer with the measures in place. “I want to make clear that we are committed to making improvements to how people move around Newcastle. “There are lessons to be learnt from this pilot, including how we can better engage residents when designing future schemes. “We want a greener future for our city and we want safer community for families, but, crucially, we want you to shape what that looks like. “In the coming weeks we will be looking to engage with people in the area to see what future improvements can be made to improve the lives of residents.” Public consultation ran in the first six months of the scheme before being extended to consider the impact of the new academic year on traffic in the area. Newcastle City Council have revealed the consultation generated over 23,500 pieces of feedback, with up to 77 per cent of respondents opposing the scheme. Opponents cited congestion caused by displaced traffic, longer journey times, negative impact on local trade and insufficient consultation. They also said there had been increased air pollution and road safety issues but council data did not show there was any evidence to support those concerns. Through the public consultation, supporters of the scheme said the changes to traffic had enhanced their local area and their experience of living in it. They also responded to the consultation to say they felt safer with traffic re-routed on to more appropriate routes so were more likely to take up active travel. Newcastle City Council also responded to concerns raised throughout the pilot on the impact on emergency service response times. Northumbria Police, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, and the North East Ambulance Service all said their response times were unaffected. The fire service referenced two incidents in the 10-month pilot where there were delays, however, they cited environmental factors could have been the reason. Police said there had been no impact on their response or any increase in anti-social behaviour. The ambulance service said their response time was unaffected. Cllr Williams added: “We worked closely with our emergency service partners throughout the consultation period and they closely monitored response data. “Data shows their response times were unaffected and no road traffic collisions took place that could be attributed to the pilot. “In fact, the reduction of traffic on residential streets was welcomed from a road safety perspective and that is an important consideration for future projects. “To be clear, we would not have continued to run the scheme for as long as we did if serious concerns had been raised with us on this matter.” The delegated decision published by the council today means the bollards will be removed on Monday, February 5. Link to the delegated decision is available at <a href="https://democracy.newcastle.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=13158">Decision - Experimental Traffic Regulation Order: Neighbourhood Low Traffic Zone - East Jesmond Area | Newcastle City Council</a> <a href="https://democracy.newcastle.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=13158"></a>

Newcastle City Council announce changes to traffic in Jesmond to be removed

People are reminded that there is only a few more days left to have their say on traffic changes in Jesmond. The extended public consultation on the neighbourhood low traffic zone trial closes this Sunday, October 15. The public consultation period was extended to allow people to submit further information and evidence on the impact of the scheme, including the return of the academic year and any school-related traffic issues. A Newcastle City Council spokesperson said: “We’d like to thank everyone who has taken part in the consultation so far, and this is a final call for people who have yet to do so, as it is really important that we hear from a wide range of voices. “The information, data and evidence that we collect as part of this trial will help to inform decision-making on the long-term future of the scheme. “We’ve had a considerable volume of responses from residents and businesses, which we will need to take time to carefully review and consider to allow us to come to a fair conclusion.” A number of residential streets have been closed to through traffic between Osborne Road and Cradlewell as part of the council’s safer, cleaner and greener neighbourhood programme. The changes, which have been introduced on a trial basis, are aimed at preventing traffic from cutting through local streets by re-routing them onto more appropriate routes. As part of the Jesmond East neighbourhood low traffic zone, closures were placed on Manor House Road and its junctions with Osborne Avenue, Shortridge Terrace, Buston Terrace, Cavendish Terrace and at the entrance to Manor House Road Back Lane and the junction of Manor House Road (opposite the back lane of Queens Road and Fern Avenue) which were in place on 6 March. Due to displacement of traffic as people sought to avoid the closures, additional measures were installed on Jesmond Dene Road and Akenside Terrace from 31 March. People can join the online consultation at <a href="https://jesmondeasttrialsconsultation.commonplace.is">https://jesmondeasttrialsconsultation.commonplace.is</a>or email the team at neighbourhoods@newcastle.gov.uk or call 0191 278 2767 requesting a call back. Following the end of the consultation the council will take time to review and consider all feedback before any further decisions are made regarding the future of the scheme. The measures will remain in place during the review period and the council will continue to collect data. Under the ETRO process, the changes can remain in place for up to 18 months, before a final decision is made.

Last call for public consultation on changes to traffic in Jesmond

We're trialling some changes that will reduce the amount of traffic cutting through Jesmond, east of Osborne Road. 

Pre-consultation was held from 7 February until 19 February 2023. Public consultation on these changes is now running from 6 March 2023 until 10 September 2023. Please have your say on the measures on our Commonplace.

