Twenty-one residents have written an open letter expressing concern and disappointment “that a so called public meeting is an attempt to cause dissention and serves no other purpose than political gain” – the latest incident in a long-running debate over the future of Acorn Road.

North Jesmond Liberal Democrat Councillor Peter Breakey last week called a public meeting to be held at 7pm on Wednesday September 10th at St George’s Church in Jesmond to discuss the future of Acorn Road, alongside workshops held on the street in the coming week by Let’s Talk Newcastle, the city council’s consultation arm. Up for debate are two proposals to change the road layout on the popular shopping street, which can be viewed here.

Signatories of the letter, led by Shehla Naqvi, the Green party candidate at last month’s North Jesmond by-election, ask for “the councillors to cancel this meeting and await the results of the written and on-line consultation” over Acorn Road.

Naqvi gained 94 votes at August’s by-election on a campaign that included a strong stance in favour of pedestrianisation on the contentious street.

Before the election, Naqvi told JesmondLocal that “the Lib Dem councillors have said that only North Jesmond are stakeholders. This is incorrect. The community as whole should be consulted on both proposals. Acorn Road is at the heart of local trade and leisure and used by all our residents however they choose to travel there.”

Read the open letter to North Jesmond councillors

Those behind the letter say they fear that Wednesday’s meeting “will be used by a vocal minority who are in opposition to taking democratic decisions  based on the opinion of all Jesmond residents, and will disrupt the process which is already underway. It is also likely that many residents will already have returned their consultation forms.”

It’s a claim that the organiser of the meeting strongly denies.

Cllr Peter Breakey, who called the St George’s Church meeting which will be held this week, told JesmondLocal that “I am very surprised that anyone who wants what is best for Jesmond would want to stifle debate on the plans for Acorn Road.”

He continued: “Public meetings, while far from perfect, are one way of further informing the debate.”

Let’s Talk Newcastle will be present at a gazebo on the corner of Larkspur Street and Acorn Road to discuss plans on Tuesday 9 September 2014 8am to 12pm, Wednesday 10 September 2014 12 to 4pm, and Thursday 11 September 4 to 8pm.

The public meeting to discuss the proposed changes to Acorn Road will be held Wednesday 10 September from 7.00pm at St Georges Church Hall.