Newcastle Labour has unveiled plans to improve seven key road junctions in the west and north of the city, helping ensure local infrastructure keeps pace with new homes and growing communities.
The Labour-led council has developed proposals for junctions along the busy Ponteland Road and Stamfordham Road corridors following work to assess the impact of planned housing development on Newcastle’s transport network.
The improvements are designed to tackle congestion and improve safety while also making it easier for people to walk and cycle.
Several existing roundabouts could be replaced or adapted with traffic signals, while improved pedestrian and cycling facilities would be introduced as part of the schemes.
Smart traffic signals and sensors are also planned, allowing junctions to be connected to the council’s central traffic-control system and respond more effectively to changing traffic flows.
The seven junctions identified for improvement are Brunton Road with Brunton Lane; Ponteland Road with Station Road; Stamfordham Road with Pooley Road; Stamfordham Road with Springfield Road; Ponteland Road with Etal Lane; Ponteland Road with Harehills; and Ponteland Road with Springfield Road.
Labour has already secured Government Housing Infrastructure Fund support for improvements at Brunton Road and Brunton Lane and at Ponteland Road and Station Road.
The council will seek developer contributions and further funding to enable the remaining schemes to go ahead.
The investment is part of Labour’s wider work to ensure new housing is accompanied by the roads, schools and other infrastructure communities need.
Residents are now being asked for their views on the proposals before detailed designs are finalised.
Cllr Arlene Ainsley, Labour Cabinet Member for Transport and Air Quality, said: “Newcastle is growing, bringing new communities, families and jobs to the area which means we need to have the right infrastructure in place.
“To make several of the junctions work better, we will remove roundabouts and install signals to balance traffic flow at different times and improve safety.
“They can also be difficult for people on foot or bikes to cross the road so this gives us an opportunity to upgrade the crossing facilities and make the local area safer.
“Without these improvements, we would see congestion build up which goes against our aims to tackle climate change and improve air quality.”
Labour will continue working to secure the investment needed to deliver the improvements, ensuring Newcastle’s transport infrastructure is ready to support new homes and growing communities.