Consultation now open
https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/localtransportplan

Didn't know where to put this but:

Latest notes from the local meetings.......


Some good ideas:


Gateshead Interchange - Refurbishment
Demolition of the whole interchange site and the redevelopment of a bus station on a smaller footprint, redesigned to address safety and security limitations, new retail, office and accommodation space, reconfiguration of the Metro station to make better use of the space and create better integration between public transport and the retail  - 32 million by 2032


New Alnwick Bus Station - 2028

Quite a few metro station upgrades planned

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Too much to discuss separately tbh
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NE Transport Pipeline - Headline Priorities - from page 99


https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%...-09-24.pdf

Link from a different source, that's how it was post.

Well least we know public transport is f**ked in the North East until 2040 unless Labour are given the boot out the mayoral position.

Absolutely nothing there to actually address any of the real issues with the public transport, in terms of poor connectivity and the fact they run at a snails pace.

Sure the maintenance of some car parks will fix everything though. Rebuilding Gateshead Interchange is a monumental waste of money mind, there's lots of things wrong with North East public transport, that would be literally be at the bottom for me and I mean literally at the bottom.

I've split this into a new thread, as it's going to be one of NECA's key transport projects over a long period of time.

Background
The North East Devolution Deal struck in 2022 placed a statutory requirement on the new authority to draw up a Local Transport Plan (LTP) for the Region. This is covered by point 44: https://www.gov.uk/government/publicatio...ution-deal

The government recognises that every place is unique and has different transport needs. That is why an area’s statutory local transport plan has an important part to play in ensuring good transport outcomes for the area. A Transport Plan for the North East is being refreshed as agreed in the 2022 devolution deal. This Transport Plan and its supporting documents will set out plans to both maintain the existing network and deliver improvements, with clear outputs and outcomes. The Transport Plan and assurance framework for a single transport funding settlement will underpin the government’s relationship with NEMCA on transport policy and will enable the Department for Transport (DfT) and local communities to hold NEMCA to account for how it is delivering its local and regional transport priorities. The commitments set out below are intended to support NEMCA to deliver on the priorities set out in its local transport plan.

A plan (to 2035) was previously drawn up by the former NECA authority (Durham, Sunderland, Gateshead, South Shields): https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/how-we-w...sport-plan

Today's NECA Cabinet meeting presented the 'to 2040' draft Local Transport Plan (LTP), which will shortly be put out to what they describe as a 'far reaching consultation'. Gannon was quite smug about their ability to reach people in presenting the paper, so we'll see what that entails. 

I've split the relevant docs out of the Cabinet agenda bundle:

• Paper to Cabinet - 17 Sep 2024
  
• Draft Local Transport plan
  

For me, the first thing the plan should address is need to bring all National Rail stations in the LA7 under the remit and control of NECA/TNE (or whatever they're called this week). This would allow complete multi-modal travel across the region from Haltwhistle to Horden; from Berwick to Durham; and everywhere in between. This happens in other Local Authority areas and counties across the UK so, for me, this is a more realistic proposition of progress using allocated funds rather than fantastical projects such as the Leamside Line; the Wearside Loop; the refurbishment of 16 year-old bus stations; or anything else where the cost is likely to run into the tens (or hundreds) of millions. It's an achievable prospect and is likely to encourage public transport usage if someone, for example, Alnwick, can nip on the bus down to Alnmouth and catch the train to Newcastle without sitting nigh on two-hours on a bus which traverses everywhere on the way. It's a small step, but one that could lead to bigger things such as the projects I've listed as you can then prove the passenger numbers are there if you speculate to accumulate.

(17 Sep 2024, 6:42 pm)MurdnunoC wrote For me, the first thing the plan should address is need to bring all National Rail stations in the LA7 under the remit and control of NECA/TNE (or whatever they're called this week). This would allow complete multi-modal travel across the region from Haltwhistle to Horden; from Berwick to Durham; and everywhere in between. This happens in other Local Authority areas and counties across the UK so, for me, this is a more realistic proposition of progress using allocated funds rather than fantastical projects such as the Leamside Line; the Wearside Loop; the refurbishment of 16 year-old bus stations; or anything else where the cost is likely to run into the tens (or hundreds) of millions. It's an achievable prospect and is likely to encourage public transport usage if someone, for example, Alnwick, can nip on the bus down to Alnmouth and catch the train to Newcastle without sitting nigh on two-hours on a bus which traverses everywhere on the way. It's a small step, but one that could lead to bigger things such as the projects I've listed as you can then prove the passenger numbers are there if you speculate to accumulate.

Yeah totally agreed there.

Another thing I'd like to see is more Bus Rapid Transport, similar to the Glider service in Belfast. It's obvious trams are never going to be affordable but something similar to Glider would be easily affordable along the most dense corridors, the likes of Durham Road and West Road for similar reasons that someone doesn't have to sit on a bus stopping at every bus stop or going on a magical mystery tour around the estates like the 25.

Again much more reasonable than trains along Scotswood Road serving trees and miles away from the real density. Who knows if it's such a success, you might in the future be able to convert it to a full tram network.

There's loads of corridors where you could potentially do something similar;
Newcastle to Whitley Bay / North Shields via Coast Road / Cobalt
Newcastle to Chester Le Street via Durham Road
Newcastle to West Denton / Lemington via West Road
Newcastle to Gosforth Park via Great North Road
Newcastle to Galleries via Wrekenton / Old Durham Road
Sunderland to Pennywell via Chester Road
Sunderland to South Shields via Seaburn
Durham to Arnison

Just to throw some corridors out there. It fills in the gaps where the Metro can't really serve with connections from local services onto the nearest BRT route.

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For reference anyone who doesn't know what Glider is, it's basically a tram but using buses which are articulated and tram style stops every 400m or so instead of the usual 150-250m so you can get to places quicker. It's doing well very well with passenger usage up 35% so far where they've built it.

(17 Sep 2024, 6:42 pm)MurdnunoC wrote For me, the first thing the plan should address is need to bring all National Rail stations in the LA7 under the remit and control of NECA/TNE (or whatever they're called this week). This would allow complete multi-modal travel across the region from Haltwhistle to Horden; from Berwick to Durham; and everywhere in between. This happens in other Local Authority areas and counties across the UK so, for me, this is a more realistic proposition of progress using allocated funds rather than fantastical projects such as the Leamside Line; the Wearside Loop; the refurbishment of 16 year-old bus stations; or anything else where the cost is likely to run into the tens (or hundreds) of millions. It's an achievable prospect and is likely to encourage public transport usage if someone, for example, Alnwick, can nip on the bus down to Alnmouth and catch the train to Newcastle without sitting nigh on two-hours on a bus which traverses everywhere on the way. It's a small step, but one that could lead to bigger things such as the projects I've listed as you can then prove the passenger numbers are there if you speculate to accumulate.

It's very much like Town and City planning though. If you don't have an ambitious plan that has been out to public consultation, then you're likely to be overlooked when bidding for funding, versus authorities that are asking for something that is included in their plan. It ends up looking a bit of a shopping list, but you don't then have to repeat the consultation process for each project.

Kim McGuiness made a suggestion during her campaign that she wanted rail stations devolved to the Mayor. The management and operation of them, I'd agree with, but I don't think it'd be a wise move for a new Combined Authority to take on the liability to maintain a load of listed buildings. 

There was some work done previously (North East Rail and Metro strategy), which covered the issues around integration with the wider rail network in the region. For me, it's a must, and it should be a relatively quick win, now that private TOCs are going to become a thing of the past (aside from open access). It appears to be in the latest LTP draft for 2027, so you may get your wish!

If it does happen, I think it relies on two things. Firstly, the 3rd LNER train per hour to Edinburgh needs to become a reality. Secondly, bus franchising needs to be close/or delivered, otherwise we'll see some drastic cuts.

The bus station at Gateshead Interchange hasn't even been around that long in its current form.

It might have more to do with the large amount of underutilised retail space, especially now as Poundland has vacated the Wilko store (not surprising to anyone IMHO). Any re-development of the bus station should be tied to a potential wider redevelopment of the Interchange Centre rather than be specific project for the LTP.

(17 Sep 2024, 9:35 pm)solsburian wrote It might have more to do with the large amount of underutilised retail space, especially now as Poundland has vacated the Wilko store (not surprising to anyone IMHO). Any re-development of the bus station should be tied to a potential wider redevelopment of the Interchange Centre rather than be specific project for the LTP.

Let's be honest, quite a fair chunk of it has nothing to do with transport. Basic maintenance like fixing pot holes, replacing traffic lights and bridge maintence should be no-where near it as I assume this money will be funded by debt not by tax receipts.



That bit there in particular is a joke.

£5m on traffic lights, £5m on accessing a private yard, £1m on god knows what on Coatsworth Road, £20m on 'maintenance' in Newcastle, £7.35m to enable private developments in the West End, £12m for private developments near Gosforth Park, £90m pissing about with Gateshead again, £31.75m on god knows what for 'improvements' for walking in Gateshead - resurfacing?.

It's a bit of a farce and there's much much more like it. £170m there and absolutely nothing to show for it.

(17 Sep 2024, 8:47 pm)BusLoverMum wrote The bus station at Gateshead Interchange hasn't even been around that long in its current form.

I'm guessing around 2007. I very rarely used public transport in the mid-to-late 2000s ,but I remember the alternator malfunctioning on my car which meant I had to use the bus for a couple of days. One of those days I traveled to Kingston Park Tesco and there were a few firsts: bendy buses, Centrelink, and Gateshead Interchange. 

Despite those improvements, it didn't really make me want to use the car any less and I was thrilled to have it back on the road

(17 Sep 2024, 10:35 pm)Storx wrote Let's be honest, quite a fair chunk of it has nothing to do with transport. Basic maintenance like fixing pot holes, replacing traffic lights and bridge maintence should be no-where near it as I assume this money will be funded by debt not by tax receipts.

That bit there in particular is a joke.

£5m on traffic lights, £5m on accessing a private yard, £1m on god knows what on Coatsworth Road, £20m on 'maintenance' in Newcastle, £7.35m to enable private developments in the West End, £12m for private developments near Gosforth Park, £90m pissing about with Gateshead again, £31.75m on god knows what for 'improvements' for walking in Gateshead - resurfacing?.

It's a bit of a farce and there's much much more like it. £170m there and absolutely nothing to show for it.

The North East has been granted about £1.5bn in City Regional Sustainable Transport (CRSTS) funding, which was a product of the last Government, and covers what you describe as basic maintenance. See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publicatio...uthorities

I'm not sure why you think it has nothing to do with transport? All of the examples in your screenshot, whilst maybe not a priority to you, are still examples of transport projects.

The loss of the footbridge on leazes road in Durham because they can't economically replace it illustrates how essential some of this work is.

(18 Sep 2024, 4:55 pm)BusLoverMum wrote The loss of the footbridge on leazes road in Durham because they can't economically replace it illustrates how essential some of this work is.

Indeed. Some of these structures are left until the very last minute, before funds are found to do anything about them.

I know people complain about the state of the roads, but it's not as if Councils decide to leave them looking like that for the sake of it.

(18 Sep 2024, 4:04 pm)Adrian wrote The North East has been granted about £1.5bn in City Regional Sustainable Transport (CRSTS) funding, which was a product of the last Government, and covers what you describe as basic maintenance. See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publicatio...uthorities

I'm not sure why you think it has nothing to do with transport? All of the examples in your screenshot, whilst maybe not a priority to you, are still examples of transport projects.

I don't want to go into it to much as this isn't a politics forum but it's all about how this stuff is announced. 

To me announcing £8bn in transport improvements should be that not doing the maintenance of assets. 

These should be coming from the council budgets. It's not funds when it's the money you took off the council budget a year earlier and is just giving credit to Westminster for giving the money back you should've had anyway.

(19 Sep 2024, 3:58 pm)Storx wrote I don't want to go into it to much as this isn't a politics forum but it's all about how this stuff is announced. 

Ah, but you've opened up by making a political point!

(17 Sep 2024, 5:24 pm)Storx wrote Well least we know public transport is f**ked in the North East until 2040 unless Labour are given the boot out the mayoral position.

It's no secret that I'm not a fan of the current Mayor or the leader of Gateshead Council, but let's not pretend that the Tories or Lib Dems have done anything for the region either. Both were the architects of austerity, then the 9 years of Tory Government that followed has really delivered bugger all, other than the Northumberland Line.

(19 Sep 2024, 3:58 pm)Storx wrote To me announcing £8bn in transport improvements should be that not doing the maintenance of assets. 

These should be coming from the council budgets. It's not funds when it's the money you took off the council budget a year earlier and is just giving credit to Westminster for giving the money back you should've had anyway.

I tend to agree, in an ideal world, but we don't live in one.

Councils simply haven't got the budgets. Sunderland, for example, are operating on a budget with a real-terms reduction of around 30% since 2009, and it's a similar story at other councils. Council tax only covers about 13% of their income. Close to 2/3 of income is from UK Government.

We've also just entered a devolution deal, with an elected Mayor that has control over transport for the region. What would be the point of still issuing grants to individual councils, as oppose to having one joined-up plan to deliver improvements regionwide?

As I say, in an ideal world, Councils would have the budget to carry out these works routinely. They don't, so the option is either try and bid for the funding in the mechanisms available (e.g. through consultation and by delivering an LTP), or ignore the problems completely.

(19 Sep 2024, 6:55 pm)Adrian wrote Ah, but you've opened up by making a political point!

No comment there.

(19 Sep 2024, 6:55 pm)Adrian wrote It's no secret that I'm not a fan of the current Mayor or the leader of Gateshead Council, but let's not pretend that the Tories or Lib Dems have done anything for the region either. Both were the architects of austerity, then the 9 years of Tory Government that followed has really delivered bugger all, other than the Northumberland Line.

No disagreements there, personally I'd love someone independent then party politics doesn't come into it. Obviously never going to happen though mind.

(19 Sep 2024, 6:55 pm)Adrian wrote I tend to agree, in an ideal world, but we don't live in one.

Councils simply haven't got the budgets. Sunderland, for example, are operating on a budget with a real-terms reduction of around 30% since 2009, and it's a similar story at other councils. Council tax only covers about 13% of their income. Close to 2/3 of income is from UK Government.

We've also just entered a devolution deal, with an elected Mayor that has control over transport for the region. What would be the point of still issuing grants to individual councils, as oppose to having one joined-up plan to deliver improvements regionwide?

As I say, in an ideal world, Councils would have the budget to carry out these works routinely. They don't, so the option is either try and bid for the funding in the mechanisms available (e.g. through consultation and by delivering an LTP), or ignore the problems completely.

Aye it's a complete mess the budgets whatever you want to put it.

See I'm on the fence there for things like traffic light and bridge repairs and I want to say I'd rather see each council areas getting a pot of money and letting them do what they want to do with it. The regional transport plan should be for regional matters, not local ones imo. Obviously in an ideal world you wouldn't have to do that, but like you said we don't live in one.

It's just creating another level of bureaucracy otherwise for the councils for things which arguably shouldn't be anywhere near a transport plan as they're just essential things. Having to beg the mayor for some money to fix some traffic lights or maintain a bridge, to me, is just wrong. The fact we've actually got to this stage just sums up how broken Britain is right now thanks to the last lot in charge. 

Obviously things like a mass replacement scheme across multiple council areas or the Metro signal replacement program are a different ball game as it impacts multiple areas but these aren't that.

(19 Sep 2024, 3:58 pm)Storx wrote I don't want to go into it to much as this isn't a politics forum but it's all about how this stuff is announced. 

To me announcing £8bn in transport improvements should be that not doing the maintenance of assets. 

These should be coming from the council budgets. It's not funds when it's the money you took off the council budget a year earlier and is just giving credit to Westminster for giving the money back you should've had anyway.

Councils have nothing left down the backs of their sofas, though. It's money that Westminster haven't been giving them and they've not been allowed to raise by other means, while the costs of their various statutory responsibilities escalate.

(20 Sep 2024, 11:54 am)BusLoverMum wrote Councils have nothing left down the backs of their sofas, though. It's money that Westminster haven't been giving them and they've not been allowed to raise by other means, while the costs of their various statutory responsibilities escalate.

Other means of income is a good point. People often (incorrectly) assume that Council expenditure is predominantly from Council tax receipts. Business rates don't even come close to plugging that gap, as the 'Councils retain half' element doesn't exactly work like that, with the 50% for Councils then being divided up equally between all Local Authorities. 

On top of that, Councillors of course have a legal requirement to set a balanced budget. So those outside of the Government of the day, are essentially enforced by statute to deliver UK Government austerity. Councils do some awful wasteful stuff, as do most organisations, but they don't half take a lot of flack for making the most out of an awful financial situation.

Hopefully people will take part in this LTP consultation with some good and positive feedback.

(20 Sep 2024, 4:49 pm)Adrian wrote Other means of income is a good point. People often (incorrectly) assume that Council expenditure is predominantly from Council tax receipts. Business rates don't even come close to plugging that gap, as the 'Councils retain half' element doesn't exactly work like that, with the 50% for Councils then being divided up equally between all Local Authorities. 

On top of that, Councillors of course have a legal requirement to set a balanced budget. So those outside of the Government of the day, are essentially enforced by statute to deliver UK Government austerity. Councils do some awful wasteful stuff, as do most organisations, but they don't half take a lot of flack for making the most out of an awful financial situation.

Hopefully people will take part in this LTP consultation with some good and positive feedback.

Even those council tax receipts have fallen behind inflation as I remember that increases were heavily capped back in the (counting prime ministers on fingers and toes) Cameron days with a threat of penalties if Councils tried to increase by more than 2%. A relief in the short term for taxpayers but here we are now. One. Of the many reasons why councils of all flavours are going bust (another being that forced realisation that it's not acceptable to pay women less than men for work of equal standing.)

But vulnerable people still need to be supported so a lot of what's left ends up sent that way while unsafe and inaccessible bridges have to be demolished unless another sofa is found like the one that this thread is about.

Consultation on the new transport strategy starts today (and lasts 12 weeks)

https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/localtransportplan

One of the things I would look at doing during the demolition of Gateshead Interchange, which I do agree with as it is far to big for what it is required for is to open a 2nd Bus Gate from Bensham Road across onto Walker Terrace leading onto Jackson Street to High Street, Buses coming from Old Durham/Durham Road would go via High Street direct into Newcastle which additional shelters installed and in turn still bring close connectivity to the Metro/Retail Areas, it would also quicken existing journey times on various routes that go into Newcastle.

There are a few units available on Trinity Square where the likes of the Interchange Newsagents, Dicksons and Carters Butchers could move into, the Greggs in the Interchange can close as you have the bigger unit on Trinity Square, Iceland & Heron Foods would be offered New Units as part of the Interchange Redevelopment Plan.

To be honest I am surprised the local authority have not decided to do the same with Park Lane Interchange in Sunderland, as again it far to big for what it is used for.

If we are going to look at going down the Rapid Transit Route I think only way that would work would be if you closed existing City Centre Multi Storey Car Parks and had those spaces located at sites such as Great Park which are out of the city, it would also strengthen demand of existing services along those corridors and perhaps encourage the switch from car to bus.

(07 Nov 2024, 5:42 pm)Malarkey wrote One of the things I would look at doing during the demolition of Gateshead Interchange, which I do agree with as it is far to big for what it is required for is to open a 2nd Bus Gate from Bensham Road across onto Walker Terrace leading onto Jackson Street to High Street, Buses coming from Old Durham/Durham Road would go via High Street direct into Newcastle which additional shelters installed and in turn still bring close connectivity to the Metro/Retail Areas, it would also quicken existing journey times on various routes that go into Newcastle.

There are a few units available on Trinity Square where the likes of the Interchange Newsagents, Dicksons and Carters Butchers could move into, the Greggs in the Interchange can close as you have the bigger unit on Trinity Square, Iceland & Heron Foods would be offered New Units as part of the Interchange Redevelopment Plan.

To be honest I am surprised the local authority have not decided to do the same with Park Lane Interchange in Sunderland, as again it far to big for what it is used for.

If we are going to look at going down the Rapid Transit Route I think only way that would work would be if you closed existing City Centre Multi Storey Car Parks and had those spaces located at sites such as Great Park which are out of the city, it would also strengthen demand of existing services along those corridors and perhaps encourage the switch from car to bus.

Shutting car parks and forcing people to use public transport is not the way to sort out the problems. It's the easiest way to completely kill Newcastle City Centre though.

Park Lane and Gateshead aren't too big either, they're the right size. Haymarket and Eldon Square are too small hence the congestion, overcrowding of stands etc. The rebuild is a complete waste of money but that's nothing new up here where we like wasting money on pointless things rather than fixing the real problems.

(07 Nov 2024, 6:34 pm)Storx wrote Shutting car parks and forcing people to use public transport is not the way to sort out the problems. It's the easiest way to completely kill Newcastle City Centre though.

Park Lane and Gateshead aren't too big either, they're the right size. Haymarket and Eldon Square are too small hence the congestion, overcrowding of stands etc. The rebuild is a complete waste of money but that's nothing new up here where we like wasting money on pointless things rather than fixing the real problems.

With my blue sky thinking hat on, I would like to see Eldon Square and Haymarket bus stations to be combined into a new large bus station, either with a multi story car park built on top of it, or a larger one provided as a replacement for Eldon Garden, while opening up Percy Street by demolishing the large mall bridge (perhaps replacing it with a smaller covered walkway). The traffic flows and resulting congestion around there do need to be addressed as well.

(07 Nov 2024, 6:34 pm)Storx wrote Shutting car parks and forcing people to use public transport is not the way to sort out the problems. It's the easiest way to completely kill Newcastle City Centre though.

Park Lane and Gateshead aren't too big either, they're the right size. Haymarket and Eldon Square are too small hence the congestion, overcrowding of stands etc. The rebuild is a complete waste of money but that's nothing new up here where we like wasting money on pointless things rather than fixing the real problems.

I guess Park Lane bus station could  be busier if SNE used it. I can understand their reasons (£££), but shame there couldn’t be an understanding. It’s not exactly difficult to solve .

Yeah SCNE should definitely use Park Lane, the issue with park lane is that its a windtunnel and isnt the nicest place to stand in, in any condition really

An easier solution would be to get a motion passed at council so it becomes policy that every NEXUS secured contract or bus service even if it is one run must serve as many metro stations or bus stations as possible. Too many companies including GCT often avoid bus stations so they don't have to pay the 70p to enter the bus station

(17 Nov 2024, 9:16 am)DaveFromUpNorth wrote An easier solution would be to get a motion passed at council so it becomes policy that every NEXUS secured contract  or bus service even if it is one run  must serve as many metro stations  or bus stations as possible.  Too many companies including GCT often avoid  bus stations so they don't have to pay the 70p to enter the bus station

If its a nexus contract surely nexus would tell which ever bus company applies for it where to go? And would nexus not pay the 70p fee?

(07 Nov 2024, 6:34 pm)Storx wrote Shutting car parks and forcing people to use public transport is not the way to sort out the problems. It's the easiest way to completely kill Newcastle City Centre though.

Park Lane and Gateshead aren't too big either, they're the right size. Haymarket and Eldon Square are too small hence the congestion, overcrowding of stands etc. The rebuild is a complete waste of money but that's nothing new up here where we like wasting money on pointless things rather than fixing the real problems.

I disagree as shutting say Eldon Garden/Square Multi-Story Car Parks would alleviate the biggest issue in that area of Newcastle City Centre which is congestion, this would allow for this area to be significantly redeveloped with a proper "City Bus & Coach Station" which is desperately needed to integrate into other modes of transport within the city.

There has been a lot of discussion in previous plans for Park & Ride / Rapid Transit style services to be in place which wouldn't be successful unless some city parking is moved out of the city, other local bus services in there current guise would also potentially see growth in my opinion as a result, you just have look at the likes of York and Leeds for example who operate a number of well used services.

(17 Nov 2024, 9:08 pm)Malarkey wrote I disagree as shutting say Eldon Garden/Square Multi-Story Car Parks would alleviate the biggest issue in that area of Newcastle City Centre which is congestion, this would allow for this area to be significantly redeveloped with a proper "City Bus & Coach Station" which is desperately needed to integrate into other modes of transport within the city.

There has been a lot of discussion in previous plans for Park & Ride / Rapid Transit style services to be in place which wouldn't be successful unless some city parking is moved out of the city, other local bus services in there current guise would also potentially see growth in my opinion as a result, you just have look at the likes of York and Leeds for example who operate a number of well used services.

I still disagree what you'd do though is make people go elsewhere. 

York isn't comparable as it's a tourist place. If you took the tourists away the place would be dead though because everyone shops at Monks Cross and Clifton Moor. 

I can't comment on Leeds but the plans up here are horrible. Sites miles away using buses which are slow and unattractive. 

No-one is going to park near the Angel and sit on a bus for 20 minutes to Newcastle meandering through Low Fell etc. What they will do though is drive straight by and head to the MetroCentre or Team Valley instead if you made it impossible to drive into Newcastle.

Northumberland Park and Four Lane Ends are pretty much always dead and The Great Park is outright abandoned. I'm not sure what magical wand they've got that's suddenly going to make another one be any different.

I don't disagree with the traffic problems though, personally I'd love to see the whole of Eldon Garden come down with a new car park built coming off behind St James and brand new developments with a connection between the stadium and the bus stations but this is a whole different discussion. If this was a suitable size to replace both then get shot of the awful Eldon Square aswell. Percy Street in general is a miserable place.

Local transport authority final allocations 2025 to 2026

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicatio...25-to-2026

North East Combined Authority:


BSIP revenue funding 25/26 - £23,637,653

BSIP capacity and capability allocation 25/26 - £125,000

BSIP capital funding 25/26 - £0