As work continues to transform Acorn Road into a one-way street to cars following years of divided debate, residents, campaigners and businesses remain confused about the potential impact the changes will have on the area.

There appears to remain little agreement on who was the driving force behind the changes and what the impact will be. Three differing numbers were provided by interviewees on the loss of parking spaces along the street, while local officials were contacted for comment but none believed they could as yet give a statement reflecting the true state of affairs.

JesmondLocal contacted local businesses on Acorn Road and nearby Brentwood Avenue. Malcolm Perry of Timpsons said that he was in favour of some of the changes being made to the road, but opposed to others.

“It definitely needed changing,” he said. “Traffic congestion was a problem, and I’ve seen too many knocks and bumps out there. But to extend the pathways and reduce the parking…we’re against that because it will affect customers.”

Perry explained that several customers had approached him opposed to the construction work. “I have had people come into my shop and tell me they may not be back because of the parking situation. Time will tell, but I’ve had at least two people tell me [they won’t return].”

Sarah Turner of Y&L on nearby Brentwood Avenue said that since the work began, traffic has been “infinitely worse.”

Newcastle Cycling Campaign Jesmond branch chair Sally Watson denied that her campaign group was behind the change to the road. Watson insists cyclists were excluded from the discussion process to draw up plans for Acorn Road, not the residential associations and shops as claimed by the plan’s opponents.

Presently the road is one-way for cyclists and cars; upon completion, a cycling contraflow will be in place, where bikes can travel in both directions, while car traffic will go one way only.

Watson added that at one meeting during the consultation process she was the only cyclist representative and only woman, the meeting being dominated by “able bodied men aged between 50-70.”

She too is relatively happy with the end result of the consultation, currently being completed by construction workers. “It’s about prioritising local residents over commuters and external visitors.”

Steven Robson, proprietor of Acorn Hardware, had opposed initial plans for the street. He has since changed his views. “We’re a lot happier with the one-way system,” he said.

“Everyone’s against changes at the start,” he admits, “but looking at what’s going on now I think it’s going to be a lot more advantageous for us.

“I think it’s going to make it a lot easier for us on Acorn Road, however I think St George’s Terrace is going to suffer from congestion from cars leaving Acorn Road.”

Many praised the local councils change in attitude. Both had claimed a sense of alienation and lack of communication in the discussion process – a conclusion supported by a post-mortem on the consultation process commissioned by the Jesmond Residents Association – but now applaud the council for being direct and easily approachable since the work has begun.