From public transport and potholes to parks, parking and community life, JesmondLocal has been asking those standing for election in the new Jesmond ward about the issues they believe matter most locally.

In this final instalment of our candidate Q&A series, we hear from Tim Dowson and Philip Browne. The five candidates who either declined to take part or did not respond to our invitation were Trevor Cox (Reform), Sandra Davison (Conservative), Killian McCartney (Labour), Ellen Russell (Reform) and John White (Labour).

Tim Dowson, Green

1. Who are you and what are your interests and hobbies outside of politics?

Some of the things I enjoy are cycling, and the parks, countryside and coast around Newcastle. It’s a wonderful city, with a good variety of shows and events going on both in town and around – plenty to do for the time that I have available.

2. What do you love most about Jesmond?

It’s close to the City Centre but still has lots of green spaces – Jesmond Dene and the Moor are wonderful assets and both right on our doorstep. It’s a pretty quiet area but but has plenty of shops, facilities, and lots of social venues too. And it has good access to the metro, major roads and transport networks.

3. Where is your favourite place in Jesmond?

One of my favourite areas locally is Jesmond Dene. This wonderful gift to the city is far more than a park – it’s a woodland, a home for nature, as well as a through route to the north and south. lt’s a real privilege to have this so close to home. It can feel like you are miles from town when you are there although it’s barely one mile from the middle of town.

4. What is Jesmond’s most pressing need?

There is a real need for better public transport networks, locally and across the North-East. The frequency of buses on Osborne Road is poor – one reason there is so much traffic congestion. If we had minibus routes going through the housing areas it would make it easier for people without cars to get to major transport facilities like the metro, but narrower and shorter minibuses could fit through the streets more easily, and make it less necessary to use cars.

5. How would you improve relations between Jesmond’s permanent resident and student populations?

Actively welcoming students at the start of their course, to build relationships with longer term residents, can help. Better local public transport, and safe storage for cycles, are essential to reduce issues with parking and to help students manage without cars. Limiting the proportion of student lets in each street and promoting longer term residence would help. These ideas work better if the universities and landlords are also interested in addressing this issue.

6. What would you do to make it easier to get around Jesmond?

Cyclists would feel safer with more – and better – cycle lanes, particularly on Osborne Road. Parking regulations there need better enforcement to help peak-time traffic congestion. This, and lack of parking, can be helped by encouraging reduced car use, both by residents and on through routes. A frequent and reliable minibus going through residential areas, as in (4) above, would help with this. Secure cycle storage, and the universities discouraging student cars, would also help.

7. Any final thoughts?

The Green Party emphasises collaboration whenever possible – involving communities in decision-making rather than carrying out token consultations before (or after!) imposing plans. We are keen to support local initiatives and businesses. These approaches give better results both for the local residents as well as for the environment.

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Philip Browne, Liberal Democrat

1. Who are you and what are your interests and hobbies outside of politics?

My family and I moved from London to Jesmond in 2009 having spent many happy holidays in the North East where my wife is from. I was elected councillor for North Jesmond in 2023. Other than following rugby, my main hobby is walking my dogs, Bridget & Heidi, who are well known around the streets, coffee shops and pubs of Jesmond. 🙂

2. What do you love most about Jesmond?

It’s a pretty self-contained community with great accessibility to town, the coast, or rural Northumberland. Also, within it, its hard to beat the tranquility of the Dene and close by, the bustling energy of Acorn Road.

3. Where is your favourite place in Jesmond?

Taking a walk on Jesmond Dene Road in the early evening and enjoying the birdsong. Heaven!

4. What is Jesmond’s most pressing need?

It sometimes feels like there are too many cars in Jesmond. Given its central location, it would be great to reduce our dependence on cars in Jesmond. This requires a greater investment in infrastructure, such as cycle routes. But I think it would improve the quality of life for many.

5. How would you improve relations between Jesmond’s permanent resident and student populations?

Communication and greater involvement would help. I’m always encouraged when local students come along to the Keep Jesmond Clean litter picks (second Saturday each month). Streets like Fern Avenue are great examples of the relationship working well, where they have an annual “meet & greet” gathering for all the residents.

6. What would you do to make it easier to get around Jesmond?

Start with the basics: fix the potholes and lousy street surfaces; improve the pavements so they are not trip hazards; invest in joined-up walking and cycle routes, even think innovatively about some back lanes as pedestrian and cycle routes bringing Jesmond together.

7. Any final thoughts?

Jesmond is a wonderful place to live for all life stages. However, there are things to be done to help improve the quality of life for all in Jesmond. Peter, James and I have made good progress with practical improvements over the last two years. We would relish the opportunity to build on that for the good of Jesmond and all its residents.

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Here, in alphabetical order, is the list of all 13 candidates standing for election in Jesmond:

Allen, Peter John – Lib Dem
Browne, Philip – Lib Dem
Coles, James – Lib Dem
Cox, Trevor Anthony – Reform
Davison, Sandra Denise – Conservative
Dowson, Tim – Green
Kell, Marianne Elizabeth – Green
McCartney, Killian – Labour
Rella, Ludovico – Green
Russell, Ellen – Reform
Stansfield, Janet Christine – Reform
Weatherill, Fin – Labour
White, John Thomas – Labour