Work is underway on Queen Victoria Road

Work to build a new cycle track, safer crossing points and signalised junctions on Queen Victoria Road started on Monday 15 January.

Access to the Royal Victoria Infirmary will be maintained during the works but people are encouraged to allow extra time for their journeys as there could be delays, particularly at peak times.

Drivers are also advised that there may be some temporary changes to car park entry and exit points to allow work at these locations to be carried out safely.

Cllr Marion Williams, cabinet member for a connected, clean city at Newcastle City Council, said: “This is a busy city centre road and, with the hospital and university campus on either side, it is well used by people walking and cycling, making safety a priority.

“The changes we’re making to the layout will help to create improved and safer facilities for people on foot and bikes travelling in this area.

“As with all projects of this nature, some disruption to people’s journeys will be unavoidable but we are working to minimise this and will continue to liaise with partners, in particular the Royal Victoria Infirmary, to keep people informed.”

Preparation work is getting under way for the installation of new traffic signals at a number of junctions between Leazes Lane and Lover’s Lane.

This requires lane closures, with temporary traffic signals, as well as the removal of the current temporary cycle lanes that run along Queen Victoria Road. 

During this time, the footpaths on either side of the road are temporarily signed as shared space for people on bikes and on foot. Drivers are urged to adhere to the temporary arrangements and are reminded that under the Highway Code, pedestrians and cyclists have right of way when crossing side roads.

From March, work to install the new traffic signals and to construct the new cycle track and crossing points will begin.

At this point, Queen Victoria Road will temporarily become one-way, northbound only, between St Thomas Street and Claremont Road. Footpaths will continue to be temporarily signed as shared spaces.

Temporary overnight road closures may be required at certain times, when signed diversion routes will be put in place.

The work is due to be completed in late 2024 and a further phase, incorporating the junction at Claremont Road, is expected to follow in 2025, with details to be confirmed nearer the time.