(17 Apr 2022, 11:17 am)streetdeckfan wrote Let's be real, that isn't going to happen any time soon.
It's just going to make traffic worse, unless they manage to reduce traffic by at least half before they even consider knocking it down

It won't change naturally, because what you've said is likely the attitude of most private vehicle owners, but it needs to change. Car ownership isn't going to naturally decrease due to the sheer convenience (and even availability of it), therefore it's the role of policy makers in Central and Local Governments to enact the change that's required. It'll happen, no matter how many people are dragged kicking and screaming into change.

(17 Apr 2022, 11:54 am)Andreos1 wrote I'd love to know the diversion route they're going to suggest for the period when they're bringing it down.
The blocking of any sort of alternative (Eastern portion of Askew Road for a start), will render Gateshead in to even more gridlock than we see currently!

Reopening Hills Street (even temporarily) for buses only and temporarily reopening Askew Road (past the garage) would probably be the sensible option, but no matter how much notice the Council give, you'll still get all the masses of motorists trying to get into Newcastle that way, complaining about being stuck in traffic, without realising the irony that they're part of the problem.