Plans to make Jesmond’s roads safer for local cyclists and pedestrians have slowed after initial optimism.

While two of the proposed schemes have moved on to an advanced consultation stage, a further two schemes, on Tankerville Terrace and Haldane Terrace have been “parked”, according to local activists.

The proposed changes to Tankerville Terrace, outside West Jesmond Primary School, would involve narrowing the road to widen the pavement, install benches, cycle parking and a school bus stop outside the school gates.

Tony Waterston, local resident and member of SPACE for Jesmond, said that “there has been no timetable or detailed information given out,” with local residents “not being consulted for the last year or so.” He blames the delay on a “lack of political will” to make the changes.

However, in response, North Jesmond Labour councillor Stella Postlethwaite said: “2019 has seen two drop-in sessions for Jesmond residents, to give feedback on designs and the completion of the first Jesmond Streets for People scheme on Brentwood Avenue in North Jesmond.

“The completed scheme has made Brentwood Avenue safer and easier for pedestrians to navigate, especially for those pedestrians who use wheelchairs or pushchairs.” She said the next Jesmond “Streets for People” proposal is expected to be completed in 2020.

“Streets for People” saw the council use new, technological methods of engaging the community in the urban planning process, with local residents invited to comment on what they thought needed to change through an online portal, Commonplace.

Sean Peacock, a PhD student at Newcastle University who was involved with the project, said that this process was “an innovative, different way of doing consultation” that involved “co-creating ideas with residents”.

In the summer of 2017, Peacock carried out research that involved local children in the urban planning process. Peacock, who has previously worked as an urban planner for local government, said that “engagement” took precedence in this project.

Children from local schools were encouraged to propose changes. Images: Sean Peacock.

Waterston said that Peacock’s work was “really valuable” to the planning stages of the project, with both saying that new methods of engaging the community in projects such as this are essential.

But according to Waterston, similar projects have been “moving faster” in Heaton, Ouseburn, Arthur’s Hill and Fenham — the other areas granted a share of the £1 million set aside in the Department for Transport’s Cycle City Ambition Fund.