Street cleanliness, anti-social behaviour and community integration are just three of the issues Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Allen is planning to tackle since his election in September 2024.

“The big issues are very much about cleanliness, particularly Jesmond terraces,” Allen told JesmondLocal. “We need a new approach to dealing with bins in the streets, litter in the streets and fly tipping.”

On the subject of anti-social behaviour, Allen said he believes “a lot of it can be dealt with. I’m looking at ways in which residents and student populations can learn to live together.”

Only a small number of students have a negative impact on Jesmond, said Allen. “Most students who come to Newcastle are great, but there’s a small minority who cause problems.”

“Jesmond has a thriving nightlife, but with my Lib Dem colleagues James Coles and Philip Browne, I am going out some nights to see what students are doing in Jesmond and see the issues first hand.”

Allen said he also wanted to look at the issue of parking in Jesmond. “Improving transport links is part of the solution, but in some cases, it might be helpful to take traffic out of certain streets.” Allen suggested students might be discouraged from bringing their cars to Jesmond where parking availability is a problem. “If you’re a student, unless you’ve got a disability, I really don’t see there’s a need to have a car. You might need a car to bring your belongings at the beginning of the year, but the university is just 10-15 minutes’ walk away. I really don’t think you need a car for everyday commuting, so we might need to look at restrictions on student parking, so it becomes a better environment for everyone.”

Allen previously served as a councillor in Walkergate for nine years, and he began his role in Jesmond on 12 September this year, securing almost 65% of the vote. “I’ve been involved in issues in Jesmond for many years. My predecessor, Gerry Keating, was a long serving councillor and I’ve worked with him for more than 30 years.”