More new more quickly - Gosforth eFocus No 34 18th May 2015
ON THE GREAT NORTH ROAD
Resurfacing of the northbound carriageway in the vicinity of the Grange shops has taken place over 2 days, with a further stretch of cycle lane being marked. After a lot of pressure from councillors, a map of the construction of a short stretch of segregated cycleway has been received. A map "Great North Road Grange to Broadway roundabout" can be seen at http://newcastle-libdems.org.uk/en/document/traffic-and-highways#document
Work on the southbound carriageway also continues, with two bus stops being brought forward slightly to allow the cycle lane to pass behind and avoid buses stopping and starting.
Parklands Ward is working with others to beautify the northern approaches to the city after the works are finished. North Gosforth Parish Council is taking on more barrier planters on the Great North Road making a total of 10 barrier planters and 3 large planters .We are close to implementing funding to enable the Three Mile Allotments group to plant and maintain planters at strategic places, funded by the local budget. As this works out, we'll seek to extend the number of locations.
SCHOOL PLACES
3173 Newcastle children were made offers of reception places on national offer day, with 95% being offered a preferred school. This is better than last year's national and north east averages.
This year there are 540 reception places available in 11 first and primary schools serving Gosforth, for which there were 589 first preference applications. The distance of last child admitted ranged from 0.364 miles to 2.468 miles, except in the cases of religious schools.
We've asked the Assistant Director, Education, questions about places allocation and the process which has caused much distress to some parents recently, which is currently awaited.
There's an article about the process, drawn from a 2012 report to a ward committee, on the website www.newcastle-libdems.org.uk
ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AT RED HOUSE FARM FOOTBALL CLUB
Liberal Democrat councillors have been expressing residents' concerns most strongly. The local police have asked us to pass on their response.
Officers from the Police Neighbourhood Team have now visited the club twice now. They have spoken to committee members, the club has sent letters out to parents and their team mangers to highlight this issue. Their team managers will also contact opposing team managers who come to play at the Football Club to say that the club house facilities must be used by their players without fail. This issue was also highlighted in a recent newsletter from the Football Club.
Signs will be placed in the club house reiterating that Police are aware of this problem and that all players must use the toilet facilities found within the club house.
The Football Club have been informed that there will be extra patrols in the area whilst matches are being played to carry out enforcement against anyone found breaching these instructions. The Football Club are aware of the concerns of local residents and dog walkers and that the matter is being progressed by local council officials and enforcement will be taken.
If you observe such behaviour, which is illegal of course, please email the police or call 111 so that they have a better record of incidents.
SCHOOL BUSES ON HALLS ESTATE
Following representations pursued by Liberal Democrat councillors, the buses that used to leave Gosforth East Middle School (GEMS) via Harewood Road and Strathmore Road on Halls to head north up the Great North Road are longer using this route. They now access the Great North road via Harewood Road, turn around within Regents Centre and head north from there. This was agreed with Nexus and the Head at GEMS.