Northumbria Police are appealing for information after a car in Jesmond was damaged, and residents are left once again bemoaning the state of congested streets in Jesmond and Sandyford.

The incident, in which a parked car was struck – likely by another vehicle – occurred on Grantham Road between 9pm on Monday October 6th and 9pm on Tuesday October 7th. No note was left at the scene and no attempts were made to contact the owner of the damaged behicle.

The sight of streets lined with cars on either side is a familiar one to people who live and work in Jesmond. The incident coincided with the publication of a report announcing the results of a public consultation on the congestion on Acorn Road, a popular shopping sreet. The proposed plans, which will cost £350,000, call for major work to be carried out to renovate roads and pavements, and will make the area more ‘people friendly’ by reducing the numbero f parking spaces, introducing a one-way traffic system, and a contra-flow system for cyclists.

Gary Preston, the owner of Starbeck Bakery, situated just round the corner from where the car was hit on Grantham Road, told JesmondLocal that though parking is better in this area of Jesmond, “this sort of thing is inevitable.

“The streets are so narrow and Grantham Road is a dead end. I bet someone’s taken a wrong turn and tried a three-point turn, and got it all wrong.” Preston also raised concerns about the council’s parking permit system, querying how much it alleviated traffic problems.

Mrs Bazaz, the owner of The Sandwich Co on Starbeck Avenue, said that “the roads around here can be absolutely chocker with cars. We provide free parking for an hour outside the shop but people park their cars and leave them here all day. No parking officers seem to check.”

Northumbria Police are asking for any witnesses with information about the Grantham Road incident to please contact them on 101 (ext 69191), quoting reference 933 080 914. Alternatively, you can ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.