We need a joined-Up Transport Masterplan for Newcastle say Liberal Democrats

After a flurry of Council initiative announcements which appear disjointed at best, Liberal Democrats Opposition Councillors have called for joined up thinking on Newcastle's transport system.

Details on how the stalled Clean Air Zone (CAZ) proposals link to the Council's recently published Net Zero Action Plan, its Low Traffic Neighbourhood proposals, and the substantial social distancing changes being made to local shopping areas, are conspicuous by their absence. The Opposition has grave concerns that these measures are being conceived and implemented piecemeal, without reference to any overarching strategy for how to get the City moving and tackle the climate and air quality crises.

Instead, far-reaching and costly schemes appear to be taken forward in an ad hoc fashion, often in response to one-off funding streams or Government diktats. The Opposition fears this leads to conflicting objectives, diluted impact and reduced value for money.

Additionally, the Opposition have raised concerns that Newcastle is increasingly being left to lead on the CAZ proposals alone, as Gateshead and North Tyneside Councils appear to back off from what was originally a shared scheme. The management of the CAZ, and its impact, appear to fall exclusively on Newcastle, despite Clean Air challenges being a shared problem.

Cllr Gareth Kane, Lib Dem Opposition Transport Spokesperson, said: "There is no masterplan. The Council needs a strategy that clearly sets out their vision for the City's transport networks. We could then see how the CAZ proposals, Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and the 15-minute City fit into a bigger picture, and the Council would be buffeted less by the Government's changing whims."

Cllr Nick Cott, Opposition Group Leader, said: "We're incredibly concerned that the three Labour Councils don't appear to be working together on this. Why does Newcastle appear to be left carrying the can? We all have a responsibility to work together on these matters; transport matters and travel flows are interconnected across the Region. Are Gateshead and North Tyneside sensing a looming political catastrophe and backing off?

"If the CAZ is not implemented, we're calling on the Council to clearly state how much money has been wasted delivering nothing but uncertainty for residents and commuters. We want to know what the Council plans to do to tackle the Air Quality crisis: we're not convinced it's gone away yet. And we want to see a proper strategy for the City that manages traffic flows, supports pedestrians, cyclists and public transport, and does away with costly vanity projects and cost overruns."