Changes to Gosforth High Street gets underway

From today (20 March), the bollards on the main section of the high street have been removed as the council start to install bus priority measures. This would see an almost continuous extension of the northbound bus lane from Blue House Roundabout in the south to the Church Road/Salters Road junction in the north.

Using Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) the changes will take up to two weeks to complete and will see improvements to bus reliability and journey times on this key public transport route.

The works are expected to have some disruption to the traveling public, but the council have plans in place to keep this to a minimum.

This is part of a phased approach to Gosforth High Street, with the immediate focus on improving public transport, with improvements for walking and cycling as part of the next phase.

Cllr Jane Byrne, cabinet member for a clean, connected city said: “This scheme is designed to greatly improve public transport on one of the busiest routes for buses in the city. Having a more punctual and reliable bus service makes public transport more attractive and is key to encouraging people out of their cars and cleaning up our air.

“As we’ve set out, we’re taking a phased approach to the High Street, and focusing on improving public transport links as the first phase, with the next phase looking at improving walking, wheeling and cycling.

“Many thanks to everyone who came along to the public drop-in event on 9 March. Our team is reviewing the feedback from the event and will be developing ideas to share in the coming months to make it safer, easier, and better for people to get around on foot and on bike, as well as develop a long-term plan for this busy high street.”

Journey time data, which has been collected over four years, show that there has been minimal impact on the travelling public with the traffic reduced to two lanes through the High Street. Southbound journey times have improved on the am peak, with no change on the pm peak. Northbound journey times haven’t been affected on the am peak, with a small increase on average times during the pm peak.

The plans support the council’s commitment to improve public transport across the city and working with bus operators, the council are also looking at improving bus stop locations and bus infrastructure to improve accessibility and bus journey times.

In order to facilitate the smooth operation of the new bus lane, no waiting at any time restrictions are being implemented on the High Street between Moorfield and The Grove on the eastern side and between the speed camera and The Poplars on the western side. Residents and visitors will not be able to park in these areas on the High Street from Monday 20 March 2023.

No loading between 7am and 7pm restrictions are also being implemented along the full length of the western side of the High Street between the speed camera and Salters Road. Letters have been delivered to residents and businesses informing them of the changes.

As part of the ETRO process, public consultation on the bus priority measures will run from 20 March until 21 September 2023. This will allow the council to trial the scheme and gauge public feedback, ahead of making a long-term decision on elements of detailed design. People can have their say at https://gosforthhighstreet.commonplace.is/