JesmondLocal has exclusively learned councillors are approaching local business and organisations to co-opt their car parks for public use as part of a “park and stride” scheme that will alleviate traffic problems that saw a prominent campaigner and her child struck by a car this week.

SPACE for Jesmond campaigner Sally Watson was cycling with her daughter when they were hit by a car at the junction on Moorfield on Wednesday evening. She and her daughter had to visit hospital for treatment after hte incident. Watson told JesmondLocal: “My son is about to start high school and I’m worried about how he will get to school.”

“We would like the council to look at the plans again and prioritise the schemes which are most important, that really make a difference for pedestrians and cyclists, not just things that aren’t going to upset people.”

Traffic has been a hot topic within Jesmond for years, with SPACE for Jesmond claiming that area councillors have rejected half of a £1 million fund designed to make streets safer.

Two councillors have denied the claims. Councillor Gerry Keating didn ot specify which element of the claim was untrue, while Councillor Arlene Ainsley, cabinet member for transport and air quality, told JesmondLocalthat the proposals haven’t been rejected but are just on hold until they can be adapted for wider consultation.

At the same time, councillors are working on lateral options to quell Jesmond’s traffic problem, including reducing traffic around schools during drop off and pick up times outside West Jesmond Primary School. Cllr Ainsley had a meeting with the school’s student travel plan officer on Monday morning, who she said had not been consulted about the previous proposals.

The area around West Jesmond Primary School is not the only trouble spot for traffic in Jesmond.

Tony Waterston has also expressed concern over cars parking on pavements on Osborne Road. The damage to pavements on the highly-trafficked street means disabled residents are forced onto the roads. The Jesmond Residents Association have been requesting action from the council since 2014, after cars have been parking on a blind corner at the top of Osborne Road.

A letter from Waterston, shared with JesmondLocal, said: “This kind of inconsiderate and dangerous behaviour impacts particularly on parents with buggies, the elderly and disabled and children, for whom the pavement acts as a safe haven.”

Cllr Ainsley said, “We are totally committed to road safety. We have started to look at modified proposals for that junction. Some residents at Moorfield didn’t want the junction at Moorfield changed.”

“We want people to be able to access Great North Road, and removal of the junction would mean more traffic in residential areas.”

“If we had put the proposals forward as they were, we would have received backlash.”

Cllr Ainsley added that due to the complicated nature of planning the schemes, the council is unable to give an exact timeline for future plans, but ensured that the council is committed to making roads safer and the remaining funding will be set aside for schemes in Jesmond.