Improvements planned for the Brandling Park area are likely to go ahead soon, with work including installation of cycle routes, the council has said. The goal of the plans is to lead to better road safety, following a major consultation exercise over recent months.

A Newcastle City Council spokesperson confirmed that “the proposals within the Brandling Park area will improve road safety around schools and for people on foot and on bikes”.

A letter recently distributed to residents of Brandling Park area reveals details of the plan:

• one way systems around Eslington Terrace and Eskdale Terrace
• a cycle lane on Eslington Terrace
• restricted entry at Eskdale Terrace junction to Lambton Road
• a lollipop person at the junction of Lambton Road and Eskdale Terrace
• parking facilities for buses near the schools,
• improved pedestrian crossing facilities particularly on Clayton Road
• Abbotsford Terrace will be closed at Clayton Road junction
• 20mph speed limits

Other potential ideas considered in the proposals include vehicle priority to change regarding Clayton Road and Brandling Park. Both Lambton Road and the North of Brandling Park will remain two way traffic – although pay and display parking on the West of Brandling Park is to be removed with the intention of creating more road space.

£5.7m awarded by the Department for Transport’s ‘Cycling City Ambition Fund’ is being used to improve cycle routes across the city, including the Brandling Park area in South Jesmond.

Student at Newcastle University and resident of South Jesmond, Aimee Westley, frequently walks and bikes to classes. She told JesmondLocal that “although it is positive to encourage people to walk and bike for their health, I think the changes are a bit unnecessary. If anything I think it will just make it harder for me to get a taxi to places as a last resort when the weather gets worse and it’s too dark.”

Newcastle City Council hopes that new cycle routes will “encourage more people to cycle and hence bring environmental improvements and health benefits for everyone” and confirms “formal consultation regarding the traffic regulations orders needed for the project will take place early next year.”

A spokesperson added that “Any objections regarding these legal orders will be given consideration before progressing with construction”.