Gosforth eFocus No 21
GOSFORTH HIGH STREET DECISION "CALLED IN"
All the Liberal Democrat Councillors representing 3 Gosforth wards have petitioned for the City's Labour Cabinet decision to be "called in". This is what they said.
We understand the need to improve the safety of one junction on Gosforth High Street and welcome the apparent acceptance that the vitality of the High Street is paramount
However, we the undersigned request that the recent decision to implement the Gosforth Transport Study be called in for consideration by a scrutiny review for the following reasons:
1. The consultation asked the public to consider three options. Two options were variations for a joint Red Route and Cycle Route, and the third option was to make no changes. We consider this to be inadequate as residents were not allowed to consider making changes that stopped short of creating the Red and Cycle Routes.
2. We believe that the majority of respondents requested that no changes be made to the High Street so the proposals have no mandate. The new proposals should be properly re-consulted.
3. We are concerned that the cost of the road layout changes in time of fiscal constraint may not be value for money.
4. We are concerned that the proposed cycle route is not fit-for-purpose and suits nobody adequately.
5. The direct loss of parking spaces on the High Street could have a serious negative impact on the traders, especially at a time of financial restraint. Some of this parking relates to relaxing the current Residents Parking Schemes on the streets that intersect with the western side of the High Street. These changes will require residents approval which may not be forthcoming. Therefore we fear that some of the "extra" replacement parking has been over estimated causing a severe lack of potential disability parking and short term parking bays.
6. The "extra" parking for the main Gosforth scheme is also reliant on a parallel but separate programme, with its own consultation process, for Moor Road North and surrounding streets. We believe that as these schemes are interdependent the main proposals that are subject to this call-in cannot be approved till the result of the Moor Rd scheme is known. In fact the reduction in parking could have consequences for the Moor Rd area that have not yet been considered.
Councillors Allen, Ashby, Down, Legott, Shepherd. D Slesenger. J Slesenger, Shepherd
In the mean time, a reader writes : Bearing in mind that air pollution in Gosforth High Street is above the legal limit, it makes absolutely no sense to have a mandatory cycle lane through Gosforth High Street, especially as cyclists will breath in that pollution at a higher rate than even pedestrians.
It would be much more logical to reroute the north-south cycle route via Christon Road, Rothwell Road, then crossing over, using a new pedestrian crossing behind the Central Park, and then down along Moor Road South. Cyclists, anxious to get to work quickly will find this a faster route, as there would be only two sets of lights, which they would be in control of, on Church Road, and on The Grove.
The whole fiasco about Gosforth High Street lies in the fact that the city was awarded money by the so-called 'regional growth fund', which has no public consultation, and whose proceedings are totally opaque. This meant that the successful bid was sprung upon Gosforth citizens with the theme 'we must spend the money now'. Had the city consulted before they put in the bid, we wouldn't be having this mess. There's a far bigger question than just Gosforth High Street. What real democratic control is there over the decision-making processes in the north east?.
LOCAL AUTHORITY STRIKE 14TH OCTOBER STILL "ON"
Unions representing over a million local government workers - GMB, UNISON and Unite - have agreed to escalate their dispute over pay with a campaign running into the autumn. The three unions have agreed that their members will run a co-ordinated strike of their local government and school members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on Tuesday 14 October. This means that some bins in Parklands for instance may not be emptied for 4 weeks. The impact on local schools is not yet known.
There is more than one strike in that week. The PCS has members striking on the Wednesday, thus affecting the public who want to engage with central government services.
SHOPPING NEWS
The petrol filling station at ASDA is due to open on 23rd October. The only one on the southbound carriageway of the Great North Road between the racecourse and the City centre, it will be all-card (no cash) with no kiosk. This is to speed flows and reduce noise for nearby residents. We have spoken to the manager, who is content for the car park to be used by parents to drop off and pick up children who can walk through the end of Links Green to GEMS and other schools. ASDA is also considering the logistics of flower tubs next year on top of the railings alongside the store on the Great North Road. Marks and Spencer is currently targeting a 10th December completion. (Have you noticed the striking cladding going up there?)
Shop of the week : George Payne Butchers on Brunton Park, who along with other local shops gave a handsome raffle prize to the Community Centre Summer Fayre. (Councillor Robin Ashby won a growler of local beer donated by Coppers. Councillor David Down, manning a stall, was not so lucky)
AT THE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT CONFERENCE IN GLASGOW...
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander MP has said that Liberal Democrats are continuing to push for investment in infrastructure upgrades, citing action to improve the A1 as part of the recovery plan for the country. Berwick Lib Dem PPC for Berrwick Julie Pörksen led a debate on post-16 transport. More at www.newslocker.com/en-uk/region/northumberland/senior-minister-gives-further-recognition-to-northumberlands-a1-needs/
TREES
The job of removing the stumps of the trees that were diseased in the Grange and Halls estates is to take place near the end of the month. As the Council no longer has a budget for tree replacement, the ward committee is looking at the possibility of paying for the planting of more suitable species at or near the original locations, but only where residents wish it and when there is a commitment from residents to water and tend them for the first few years as they get established.
If you have a view, for (and are prepared to help tend one near you) or against, please email David Down on david.down@newcastle.gov.uk as soon as you can, or write to him c/o the address at the foot of this eFocus
BOLLARDS
It is proposed to remove retractable bollards on Brunton Lane and Netherwitton Way (to reduce maintenance costs, avoid failures and as part of a City-wide scheme) and replace them with Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras. This system would automatically issue £60 fines for unauthorised vehicles crossing the line. Despite concerns expressed by North Gosforth Parish Council, as long as the warning notices are prominent enough, if people go through cameras they'll get fined and won't do it again - and word will spread through the locals like wildfire that it's enforced. But it is important that SatNav companies are told so they can update their programmes, as we've pointed out to responsible senior officers at the Council.
UNSUNG HEROES
Shout out for man at South Gosforth Metro Station who ran after one of your Councillors to return 20p change left in ticket machine
TRANSPORT TO GOSFORTH SCHOOLS
47 students living on Great Park go to Gosforth Junior Academy (including new Year 5 starters), 75 going to GEMS and 13 to GCMS. Parents would like to see a bus going direct to GJA, as already happens with GEMS. Local councillors are fighting the issue, but under the rules it is considered acceptable for pupils to walk a "reasonable distance" which for these schools is between 2 and 3 miles, and so a walk from the High Street along Henry Street and Regent Avenue isn't thought to be long enough for a mandatory service.
MELTON PARK UTILITIES WORKS
Morrisons Utility Services has apologised to residents of Low Gosforth Court and surrounding streets that the electrical upgrade works have ,due to various issues gone on far longer than was anticipated. Aftre protests, the company diverted all available cable jointing resources to the job. The excavating contractor, NUSL (Northumberland Utility services Ltd.)'s backfilling & reinstatement works should have been completed this weekend. MUS is also discussing the reinstatement of the shrubbed area that they have excavated.
A BUSY AUTUMN AHEAD IN GOSFORTH CENTRAL PARK
Volunteers will be preparing for the coming season by stripping out the Summer bedding plants and replacing them with polyanthus and lots of bulbs, ready for next Spring.
Some Saturday events for families are planned - a wildflower planting session for children on 1st November and Christmas garland making on 13th December.
5000 bulbs have been ordered - daffodils, tulips, bluebells and crocuses Every Monday there are work sessions between 10.00 and 12.00, as usual.
And some good news - Newcastle City Council has agreed to re-surface the three "red hills" in the Childrens' Playgound. Ward Committees have been asked for further support.
Email address is : g.centralpark@binternet.com Facebook : www.facebook.com/fogcp
BROADWAY WEST PLAYING FIELDS - PROPOSAL TO FENCE OFF
Erection of boundary fencing to a maximum height of 5 metres (16 feet) , 6 no. floodlights adjacent to existing clubhouse and provision of artificial surface to a football pitch by Red House Farm FC, Broadway West, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 2NJ, (Ref : 2014/1466/01/DET)
This application has recently been received by Newcastle City Council and details are available to view in the Customer Service Centre or online at: publicaccessapplications.newcastle.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do
AMONGST OTHER RECENT PLANNING APPLICATIONS
To see full details, go to publicaccessapplications.newcastle.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do and enter the reference number
NEWCASTLE RACECOURSE : Erection 14 dwellings (comprising 8 dwellings in the north walled garden and 6 dwellings in the south walled garden) including formation of accesses and demolition of existing garden centre buildings, hard and soft landscaping and demolition of the Silver Ring stand and the Tote building Reference: 2014/1457/01/DET
Other examples:
South Ridge house extension : Ref 2014/1416/01/DET
Barmoor Drive lawful development certificate : Ref 2014/1425/01/LDC
Park Drive new pitched roof : Ref 2014/1441/01/DET