One month after the Haldane Terrace bridge closure to motorists was made permanent, opinion in Jesmond remains divided on whether the move is a positive one for the community.

Haldane Terrace is one of five bridges that have been pedestrianised within the city. The move is part of Newcastle City Council‘s goal to reduce the number of motor vehicles passing through local streets and create “safer, cleaner and greener neighbourhoods”, according to Councillor Ged Bell, cabinet member for development, neighbourhoods, and transport.

One local resident who spoke with JesmondLocal agreed that the closure was a positive measure in stopping large vehicles from using small and narrow side streets. However, Katherine, who lives on Haldane Terrace itself, said she could see both sides of the argument.

“It gets really busy during school drop-off so all the bridge closure does is redirect the traffic into other places, which may cause other problems,” she said.

The closing of the bridge will have had a particular impact on parents driving to and from Newcastle High School for Girls (NHSG), whose senior school is located on Tankerville Terrace, which runs perpendicular to Haldane Terrace.

We asked NHSG for a comment, but did not receive one in time for publication.