Rachel Bishop
By Rachel Bishop

Senior Staff Writer

12 January 2023

| | 1 min read

Environment

Grey Street improvements underway

Improvement works have started on Grey Street as part of Newcastle City Council’s plans to transform the city centre into a greener, more welcoming place that will help the city achieve its carbon neutral ambitions and support local businesses.

Artists' impression of how Grey Street may look
Artists' impression of how Grey Street may look

Once complete, Grey Street will be a place where people and nature come together, making the best use of available space to benefit everyone. The landscape will be significantly improved, with more planting and new raingardens - planting beds that reduce the amount of water on the street to provide a sustainable drainage solution and help to reduce the risk of flooding. There will also be new seating, with space for wheelchairs and pushchairs, offering a more relaxed setting.

Other improvements will include:

  • The removal of pay and display parking to reduce levels of traffic on the street.

  • Pavements being permanently widened, and the current bollards being removed.

  • A northbound route for cycling.

  • Loading bays for servicing and delivery to local businesses, with consideration being given to also use these for blue badge holders too.

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Cllr Jane Byrne, Cabinet Member for a connected, clean city at Newcastle City Council said: 

“The improvements to Grey Street and the expanded and improved planting scheme will support the council’s commitment to biodiversity. It will create the ideal environment for pollinators and play a vital role in the city’s climate resilience and reduced carbon footprint.

“And these works also signal the start of some exciting plans for the city centre this year.

“An improved city centre will provide an enhanced environment for local people to enjoy and contributes to the economic growth of the city as a whole”.

The works on Grey Street, phased to minimise disruption and help keep the road as accessible as possible, are now underway at the junction with Mosley Street, with the junction and signals being realigned. This first phase, due for completion by May 2023 will also include drainage works to allow the further improvements on the street and the widening of the pavement on Grey Street and Dean Street. There will be temporary measures in place to allow pedestrians to safely access the area at all times

There will be further phases of work, with the full programme complete in summer 2024. During this time there will be ongoing engagement with businesses and residents on the street to keep them updated and provide an opportunity to raise any queries.

Full details of the improvement work to Grey Street and any updates can be found at www.newcastle.gov.uk/greystreet

Further details of the plans for transform the city centre can be found at www.newcastle.gov.uk/citycentre

The improvements to Grey Street and the expanded and improved planting scheme will support the council’s commitment to biodiversity. It will create the ideal environment for pollinators and play a vital role in the city’s climate resilience and reduced carbon footprint.

Cllr Jane Byrne

Cabinet Member for a connected, clean city at Newcastle City Council