New bus priority measures for a key transport corridor to be introduced

Plans are underway to extend the bus lane on the northbound section of Gosforth High Street, with the current bollards removed, within the coming weeks.

The immediate plans will see one lane of traffic each way retained through the main stretch of the high street, with bus priority measures and cycling provision where space allows.

This would see bus lane provision extended northbound along Gosforth High Street, from Moorfield towards Salters Road at its junction with Church Road, to improve journey times and bus reliability on one of the busiest routes for public transport from the city.

The plans are part of a phased approach to the High Street which would see bus priority measures installed in the coming weeks, with a second phase looking at the long-term options for this key shopping destination.

The re-allocation of road space would see cycling provision remain in place from Moor Crescent up to St Nicholas Avenue. Cycling provision from St Nicholas Avenue to Salters Road would be removed in the short-term, with longer-term plans to better connect this part of the High Street with more ‘quiet routes’ for cycling on connected side streets as part of a second phase of improvement works. Other longer-term proposals include improvements to public realm space with a parklet for the community to enjoy, improved cycle parking facilities, better-placed and improved bus stops, as well as green infrastructure to improve biodiversity and air quality in the local area.

Cllr Jane Byrne, cabinet member for a connected, clean city said: “The plans we have put forward greatly improves bus services on a key bus route from the city, removes the bollards which people have asked us to do, as well as develops a long-term future for Gosforth High Street, to make it greener, more accessible and improves the look and feel of a key shopping area in the city.

“We’re taking a phased approach to this high street, with the immediate focus on improving bus priority measures as we want Newcastle to be a clean, connected city and having an efficient public transport network, particularly on one of the major routes from the city, is a key part of this and is part of our priorities to achieve net zero.

“Gosforth High Street is one of the narrowest high streets in the city and we want to make best use of the space available. Increasing the bus lane provision means we won’t be able to widen pavements and provide cycling along the whole of the High Street, so we’ll be looking at improving connectivity for people walking, wheeling and cycling to this important shopping area as part of the next phase of works.

“We’ll be setting out further proposals on the long-term future of the high street soon and I invite everyone to have their say.”

Using Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs), it is intended to install the bus priority changes in the coming weeks. Public consultation would take place for the first six months of the scheme being implemented. This would allow the council to trial the scheme and gauge public feedback, as well as ask the public for their views on the long-term future of the 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 on the pm peak.

Bus priority measures, in locations such as the Great North Road, are an essential part of the proposed Enhanced Bus Partnership across the North East region which will see improvements to bus reliability, services and bus fares. 

Information for the public is being prepared, including drop-in events, which will be announced soon, ahead of the scheme being implemented in Spring 2023. The measures could be in place for up to 18 months while the council review the findings from data and public feedback on the scheme, while bidding for the funding to deliver a long-term enhancement to this area.