Highways works to recommence

The council has re-assessed several major schemes across the city, to see what schemes can continue to operate safely and within strict social distancing guidelines.

All highways roadworks schemes other than essential maintenance were suspended by the council in mid-March following concerns over maintaining social distancing for highways staff and the public.

Since then, government has confirmed that essential highways works – including improvement works such as at the Haddricks Mill double roundabout and at Barras Bridge in the city centre – are considered critical to the country’s economic recovery and should continue.

To allow the works to restart, new procedures have been put in place which are in line with updated guidance from Public Health England and the Construction Leadership Council.

Cabinet member for transport and air quality, Cllr Arlene Ainsley said: “Closing down sites across the city was the right decision at the time, as the safety of our teams and the public had to come first. It also meant we could redeploy highways staff to other essential services such as refuse collections and to keeping vital services running.

“We have had a thorough review and risk-assessment of how the schemes can operate again and I’m satisfied that we have stringent safety and operating procedures in place that will allow these critical works to continue safely.

“Also, with very little traffic on the road means we can progress major schemes without impacting too heavily on the travelling public and make progress in getting critical junctions ready for when the current lockdown is lifted.

“Many of the schemes also include widened pavements and cycle lanes which will help maintain social distancing for when lockdown is lifted.”

The highways schemes work to continue include:

• Haddricks Mill junction and Killingworth Road
• Barras Bridge public realm improvement
• Resurfacing of traffic sensitive locations

The council is looking at parts of the design of the Killingworth Road/Haddricks Mill scheme in South Gosforth which could be completed quicker or whether the programme could be changed to get resurfacing done more quickly given the reduced traffic.

However, the focus will be on ensuring safety for staff and the public. Operating under social distancing rules may impact on the completion date but nothing can be confirmed on timings until we are back on site and progress fully assessed.

Within the city centre, Barras Bridge works are set to continue. Barras Bridge is close to a number of major destinations in the city centre, including workplaces, shops, public transport hubs, universities and a hospital, and is therefore normally one of the busiest pedestrian areas in the city centre.

The work being carried out there will make it easier for people to get around. This includes improvements to crossing facilities and a simplified road layout.

As well as resulting in a more pleasant space in the city centre, more importantly it will create more space for the many shoppers, students, workers, and visitors who would usually walk through this part of the city centre every day.

Resurfacing works at Haymarket Bus Station will also take place over the next few weeks. This will require a four-day closure which has been agreed with bus operators due to low bus passenger levels. Previously this work would have been carried out as an overnight closure, but as the council’s contractors can now complete the work during the day, this has meant the council can make savings on this programme.

Other resurfacing works that are likely to follow include the city centre junction at Gallowgate and St James Boulevard. As traffic levels are around 68% lower, the council plan to progress this scheme due to the minimised impact to the highways network during current lockdown measures.

As part of the increased safety and social distancing measures, new site operational procedures will be in place including daily briefings on social distancing, more PPE provided and additional welfare facilities for staff will be put in place on construction sites for increased handwashing as well as additional canteen facilities and space for staff on breaks.

Around 15% of highways staff who have been redeployed to support other council services, will remain on these critical services to ensure continuity of vital services.