I agree with the proposals in principle.
The Scotswood Bridge junction certainly needs improvement. It is the roundabout which causes much of the congestion. To make traffic flow freely would, in my opinion, require the roundabout to be scrapped and replaced with some sort of GSJ from the west which, in turn, would allow a dual carriageway to be constructed. However, that's easier said than done.
The dualing of Grandstand Road shouldn't prove to be that much of a problem. It's the Blue House Roundabout to Haddricks Mill section which will prove problematic. The road, as it stands, is probably wide enough to accommodate two lanes without a central reservation, but with bus stops and parked cars to consider, it's going to be tricky.
(20 Aug 2014, 11:57 am)AdamY wrote [ -> ]I agree with the proposals in principle.
The Scotswood Bridge junction certainly needs improvement. It is the roundabout which causes much of the congestion. To make traffic flow freely would, in my opinion, require the roundabout to be scrapped and replaced with some sort of GSJ from the west which, in turn, would allow a dual carriageway to be constructed. However, that's easier said than done.
The dualing of Grandstand Road shouldn't prove to be that much of a problem. It's the Blue House Roundabout to Haddricks Mill section which will prove problematic. The road, as it stands, is probably wide enough to accommodate two lanes without a central reservation, but with bus stops and parked cars to consider, it's going to be tricky.
Should take out that Roundabout and have 4 Way Traffic Lights. As that Roundabout is Dangerous.
Pedestrianisation is a funny thing in my opinion - traffic may be moved away from a certain road or street, but it always ends up somewhere else.
(20 Aug 2014, 1:44 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Should take out that Roundabout and have 4 Way Traffic Lights. As that Roundabout is Dangerous.
A lot of the traffic queues on the Gateshead side, are caused by traffic signals.
Coming south over the Tyne Bridge, the traffic is not allowed to flow, due in part to the sequence of lights in Gateshead.
Coming from Gateshead into Newcastle over the Redheugh Bridge, traffic is often at a standstill, due to the sequence of lights up St James Boulevard.
The Heworth roundabout used to flow great - until lights were installed.
In each of those locations, it is possible to be stopped by a red light and nothing coming from another direction.
Low Fell - depending on how unlucky you are, it is possible to hit each and everyone on, on red.
Dreading the drive through Birtley, once it is finished.
Upto 6 sets of lights (including a pedestrian crossing), in less than a mile!
There must be a better alternative.
Haddricksmill was a right faff on when I was driving round it last summer!
(20 Aug 2014, 9:15 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Haddricksmill was a right faff on when I was driving round it last summer!
Yeah, the whole double-roundabout could be simplified.
(17 Apr 2015, 8:27 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Never knew Northumberland Street was open to Traffic, well at least during my lifetime anyway, great to see Photos like this from the past.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/markh737/17154906246/
Remember it well.
My parents used to take me to Wimpy (now Burger King) and I used to sit upstairs and watch the buses go by.
Northumberland Street also used to be the main thoroughfare for the A1 before Central Motorway East, Tyne Tunnel and the Newcastle Western By-pass were constructed.
This and other images can be found on Skyscraper City.
![[Image: 3256271864_a13a416815_b.jpg]](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/3256271864_a13a416815_b.jpg)
(17 Apr 2015, 10:48 pm)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]Remember it well.
My parents used to take me to Wimpy (now Burger King) and I used to sit upstairs and watch the buses go by.
Northumberland Street also used to be the main thoroughfare for the A1 before Central Motorway East, Tyne Tunnel and the Newcastle Western By-pass were constructed.
This and other images can be found on Skyscraper City.
What were the reasons behind Pedestrianising Northumberland Street, and which year did this take place, looking at that Photo I dont think we would ever see it reopen to traffic.
(18 Apr 2015, 12:42 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]What were the reasons behind Pedestrianising Northumberland Street, and which year did this take place, looking at that Photo I dont think we would ever see it reopen to traffic.
If it ever was to reopen to traffic, I think that the NHS would buy a large shop and convert it into an ambulance station.
(18 Apr 2015, 12:43 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote [ -> ]If it ever was to reopen to traffic, I think that the NHS would buy a large shop and convert it into an ambulance station.
Obviously safety measures would have to be put in place, such as Railings/Barriers and a Zebra Crossing or Traffic Lights at the Centre Point of the Street (Entrance to Eldon Square) etc to ensure the safety of Pedestrians.
(18 Apr 2015, 12:43 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote [ -> ]If it ever was to reopen to traffic, I think that the NHS would buy a large shop and convert it into an ambulance station.
I think there is too many pedestrians heading down Northumberland Street for any traffic to go down there again.
(18 Apr 2015, 12:42 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]What were the reasons behind Pedestrianising Northumberland Street, and which year did this take place, looking at that Photo I dont think we would ever see it reopen to traffic.
Probably to move traffic away from the city centre/shopping area.
Up until the mid/late 90's, the very top (onto Northumberland Road) was still open for buses.
The remaining section still had restricted access and a small road going down the middle for a long time. Possibly into the early 90's.
Edit:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=982536&page=113 found this, with images of the changes and the small road that wound its way down.
(18 Apr 2015, 12:56 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Probably to move traffic away from the city centre/shopping area.
Up until the mid/late 90's, the very top (onto Northumberland Road) was still open for buses.
The remaining section still had restricted access and a small road going down the middle for a long time. Possibly into the early 90's.
Edit: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=982536&page=113 found this, with images of the changes and the small road that wound its way down.
The top bit of Northumberland was pedestrianised in 1999. The bottom bit, I'm guessing, 1989/90, perhaps earlier. I believe the street was narrowed once the Central Motorway East was completed in 1975.
The picture below (perhaps my favourite) was taken in 1976.
![[Image: NorthumberlandStreetin1976.jpg]](http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv345/manorpark_photos/Newcastle%204/NorthumberlandStreetin1976.jpg)
(18 Apr 2015, 1:22 pm)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]The top bit of Northumberland was pedestrianised in 1999. The bottom bit, I'm guessing, 1989/90, perhaps earlier. I believe the street was narrowed once the Central Motorway East was completed in 1975.
The picture below (perhaps my favourite) was taken in 1976.
Now I see why Northumberland Street was fully pedestrianised
.
I walked through the former Newcastle Breweries site today on my way into town. This is the site which will eventually become Newcastle Science Park (or City - can't remember which). Looks like it might be pretty decent once completed. I hope they keep some of the greenery to compliment the proposed buildings. Managed to take a quick a video of the site on my back to the car and posted it on YouTube.
Just heading home last night and it looks like Newcastle Council are making the fly over at north brunton park to the south entrance of gosforth park a no car lane/bus lane..... means cars will have to go straight on and around the round-a-bout and past falcons nest pub to get to the park, sandy lane or wide open.
Nothing on web site about it so might not have come into force yet.