Gosforth eFocus No 32 - 24th April 2015
FURTHER WORK ON THE GREAT NORTH ROAD
Despite the traffic chaos in the morning rush hour southbound from the A1 and Sandy Lane, work on the roundabout and crossing at the Broadway/Great North Road intersection plod on. We've highlighted "No work Friday" and "Overtime Sunday" to Newcastle City Council (as well as putting photographs into the twittersphere) Things were so bad that on the first day back at school the police were called upon to direct traffic. So at least parents dropping off at the Broadway schools could get off Whitebridge Park, and in accordance with contract the temporary bollards are now pushed back when no work is taking place, restoring a little road space.
MORE PROPOSALS FOR ROAD CHANGES AT MOORFIELD/MOOR ROAD NORTH AREA
Full details of proposals about to be published by Newcastle City Council, and how you can make your views known, are shown in the footnotes to this eFocus
OF BUS LANES AND BRIDGES
Newcastle City Council is in the process of switching to City Council Enforcement of the bus lanes within the City. When this happens the majority of the bus lanes will allow taxis (both hackneys and private hire) to use the lanes where signed.
However, the two Prohibition of Driving Restrictions on Brunton Lane and Netherwitton Way, will not allow taxis (hackneys or private hire) to use these restrictions.
New signs for all of the restrictions which advise the driver of which vehicles have permission to be within the restriction are in the course on installation. Signs to be located on Brunton Lane and Netherwitton Way will show that the only permitted vehicles to pass these restrictions are buses, motorcycles, pedal cycles and permit holders.
THE DANGERS STILL OF THE NEW TRAFFIC SYTEM AT REGENT CENTRE
Here's what one of our readers told us :
"At about 10.20 a. m. on the morning of Friday 17th April, I had just dropped two passengers at the Regent Metro Station, on my way to Asda. I needed therefore to exit the Regent Centre, bus and Metro exchange and cross the main road towards the entrance to Asda car park.
"When the lights were green I proceeded eastwards, but could not get across because traffic coming from Asda and Hollywood Avenue, wanting to turn right, (i.e. north) were also on green. Whilst the lights were still showing green for me, one of the cars exiting Holly wood Avenue, saw my potential predicament, (i.e. of being stuck half way across the road, when lights changed against me), paused for me to continue across the junction. The lights still were showing green in my direction. At the same time, a police car travelling towards the city centre, on the B1318, moved forward, and indeed narrowly missed my car. I proceeded in front of him towards Asda, and he then turned into Hollywood Avenue, and followed me into the Asda car park, clearly with the intention of speaking with me about the incident.
"When we were both parked safely he came towards me, and I said I knew what he wanted to say. I said to him that I thought this junction is now extremely dangerous, and told him that the light was still green for me when I completed my crossing. However, the lights in the other direction must have changed immediately to green before I completed the crossing, thus forcing the police car to stop and allow me to continue. He was very understanding about what had happened."
Although some people using the Great North Road find the new arrangements are now OK, we continue to make representations to officers about particular difficulties.
FIGHTING FOR OUR GREEN BELT
Parklands Ward has lodged a major objection to a plan for a leisure centre on the Salters Lane Industrial Estate in North Tyneside, opposite the Gosforth Nature Reserve, following professional advice on the potential impact. You can read the whole text on our website www.newcastle-libdems.org.uk
LOCAL VOLUNTEERING
"Silver Lining" is a talks club for the over 50s in Kenton, Gosforth and Fawdon which meets on the second Thursday of the month. An example : earlier this month a Director of Ringtons spoke about the history, development and future of an important, enduring, family-run local company. All welcome (wherever you live, really). No charge. Cuppa and biscuit at the break, finishes by noon.
Fawdon Library was shut by Newcastle City Council at the end of March - but local people reopen it on 22nd May as a volunteer-run library. They have around 30 volunteers already - if anyone would like to offer or find out more, eFocus wil pass on your contact details.
GREAT PARK
There's a new website, still the same address www.newcastlegreatpark.com but it's intended to get considerably more information on there in terms of plans, programmes It is a live site and will be continually updated and amended. Two current things are the photo competition and the public consultation section where the Consortium wants community views
The verge either side of the hedge on the north side of Brunton Lane has been added to the mowing programme as an 8 times per year cut, following request from councillors
AND FINALLY…
What do your local councillors do to encourage "green" policies and volunteering from their very limited local budgets? Here are some other examples from the past year.
* Fight against housing south of Gosforth Nature Reserve
* Grants to Gosforth Nature Reserve, Gosforth Central Park, Daft as a Brush to support volunteers (for more information about helping out in Gosforth Central Park, or just to be kept up to date with news, email g.centralpark@btopenworld.com)
* Purchase of strategic stock of litter picking eqt
* Asking ASDA, McDonalds for environmental support
* Sustaining the pressure for proper maintenance of grass, shrubs etc
* Encouraging self help groups to apply for support
* Encouraging new Residents Associations to get involved
* Supporting sustainable long term solutions for playing fields north of Broadway West/Kenton Park Road
* Speaking out on wildlife aspects at Council Planning Committee
* Advocating brownfield development ahead of green belt housebuilds
* Pilot Health and wellbeing campaign in Parklands
* Pushing Council for pilot "measured mile" to encourage exercise
For the year 2015/16 just started, the controlling Labour Party has reduced the amount available, but the Ward Committees in Gosforth will be trying to make the best use of what they are allowed (there may be further reductions in future)
So if you are connected with any local groups who might need some support while it is available, please put them in touch with us. A Council officer will be able to advise on the detail of the formal application process, but as councillors we look for things which
* benefit local people
* encourage participation
* widen reach
* reward self fundraising
* don't make groups depend on Council money for future running
Groups serving several wards can apply for help to more than one.
FOOTNOTES :
(1) "ROAD HUMP" AT MOORFIELD, GOSFORTH
Councillors have just received notification that a Raised Table (road hump) is to be installed at Moorfield, Gosforth, at its junction with Moor Road South
The length along the carriageway to be 40 metres on Moorfield and 10 metres on Moor Road South, full width across the carriageway height 85 mm, ramp gradients to be 1 in 15.
This is a reduction in the previously advertised length of the raised table, as far as it refers to the length along Moorfield, which was published in the Journal on 19 February 2014.
Details of the proposal and a plan may be viewed free of charge between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday at the Customer Service Centre, Civic Centre (Ground Floor), Sandyford Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QH.
If you wish to object to the proposal you should send the grounds for your objection in writing quoting reference GH/P44/1050 by 21 May 2015 to Newcastle Parking Services, PO Box 2BL, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 2BL or by email to traffic.notices@newcastle.gov.uk
(2) MOOR ROAD NORTH AREA
Traffic Regulation (Consolidation) Order 2009 (Moor Road North Area Variation) Order 2015
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne propose to make an Order under Sections 1, 2, 4, 29 and Part IV of Schedule 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 which amends the City of Newcastle upon Tyne Traffic Regulation (Consolidation) Order 2009 ("the 2009 Consolidation Order").
2. The effect of the proposed Order is -
(a) to introduce a no waiting at any time restriction (double yellow lines) on the following lengths of road -
(1) Belle Vue Avenue - both sides,
(i) from Church Road southwards for 18 metres;
(2) Church Road - south side,
(i) from 16 metres west of Belle Vue Avenue eastwards for 32 metres;
(ii) from 16 metres west of Rectory Grove eastwards for 32 metres;
(3) Moor Road North - east side,
(i) from Church Road southwards for 15.5 metres;
(ii) from 76.5 metres south of Church Road southwards for 7.5 metres;
(iii) from 23.5 metres south of St Nicholas Avenue northwards for 46 metres;
(iv) from The Grove northwards for 105 metres;
(4) Moor Road North - west side,
(i) from Church Road southwards for 36.5 metres;
(ii) from 46.5 metres south of Church Road southwards for 9 metres;
(iii) from 65.5 metres south of Church Road southwards for 24 metres;
(iv) from 106 metres south of Church Road southwards for 9 metres;
(v) from 125.5 metres south of Church Road southwards for 10 metres;
(vi) from 146 metres south of Church Road southwards for 10 metres;
(vii) from 166 metres south of Church Road southwards for 9 metres;
(viii) from 186 metres south of Church Road southwards for 9 metres;
(ix) from 205 metres south of Church Road southwards for 8 metres;
(x) from 31 metres north of St Nicholas Avenue to 102.5 metres north of The Grove;
(xi) from The Grove northwards for 19.5 metres;
(5) Rectory Grove - both sides,
(i) from Church Road south westwards for 14 metres;
(b) to introduce a prohibition of loading and unloading at any time restriction on the following lengths of road -
(1) Moor Road North - west side,
(i) from 65.5 metres south of Church Road southwards for 24 metres;
(2) Moor Road North - east side,
(i) from 76.5 metres south of Church Road southwards for 7.5 metres;
(c) to revoke all of the existing no waiting at any time restrictions on both sides of Moor Road North and remove them from the 2009 Consolidation Order.
(ii) (On Street Parking Places) Order 2009 (Moor Road North Variation) Order 2015
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne propose to make an Order under Sections 32, 35, 45, 46, 49, 53, 63 and Part IV of Schedule 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 which amends the City of Newcastle upon Tyne (On Street Parking Places) Order 2009 ("the 2009 On Street Order").
2. The effect of the proposed Order is
(a) to designate the following lengths of road as parking places with waiting limited to 3 hours, no return within 6 hours, between 8.00am and 6.30pm Monday to Saturday -
(1) Moor Road North - west side,
(i) from 36.5 metres south of Church Road southwards for 10 metres;
(ii) from 55.5 metres south of Church Road southwards for 10 metres;
(iii) from 89.5 metres south of Church Road southwards for 16.5 metres;
(iv) from 115.5 metres south of Church Road southwards for 10 metres;
(v) from 136 metres south of Church Road southwards for 10 metres;
(vi) from 156 metres south of Church Road southwards for 10 metres;
(vii) from 176 metres south of Church Road southwards for 10 metres;
(viii) from 194 metres south of Church Road southwards for 10 metres;
(ix) from 213 metres south of Church Road to 30 metres north of St Nicholas Avenue;
(x) from 68.5 metres north of The Grove northwards for 33.5 metres;
(xi) from 19.5 metres north of The Grove northwards for 35 metres;
(iii) Proposed Construction of Road Hump - Moor Road North
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with Section 90C of the Highways Act 1980 that the Council of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne in exercise of its powers under Section 90A of the Highways Act 1980 proposes to construct a road hump complying with the Highways (Road Humps) Regulations 1999 in Moor Road North.
2. The traffic calming feature specified below will extend over the full width of the carriageway, be 6 metres in length, 85mm in height and the gradient of the ramps will be 1:10. The proposed nature and location are as follows:-
Location - Moor Road North - 77 metres south of its junction with Church Road.
Documents giving more detailed particulars of all of the proposals specified in this Notice (including draft Orders, Notice, map and a statement of the Council's reasons for making the proposals), and the 2009 Consolidation Order and 2009 On Street Order, can be viewed free of charge at the Customer Service Centre, Civic Centre (Ground Floor), Sandyford Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QH between 8.30 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday. If you require any further information or have any queries regarding the proposals please contact the Council's Highways and Local Services section on (0191) 2787878 ext. 25960.
If you wish to object to, or make other representations about, any of the proposals specified in this Notice or any of their provisions you should send your objection or representation by 20 May 2015 quoting reference GH/P44/1057 to Newcastle Parking Services, PO Box 2BL, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 2BL, or by email to traffic.notices@newcastle.gov.uk. Please state which proposal your objection relates to. Any objection or representation MUST be made in writing and where an objection is made, it must state the grounds of the objection.