Transforming Northumberland Street

We are working with construction company Taylor Woodrow to improve Northumberland Street and provide new paving, seating, trees, greenery, and lighting.

The changes will create an elegant and high-quality environment that is inspired by the street’s Medieval history and will reinforce its position as the region’s most vibrant and important high street, setting it apart from other streets.

Work started on the street in December 2023, with further preparatory works taking place in the first few months of 2024, much of which involved various utility companies working on their underground services before the paving and foundations began. 

These improvement works are funded by UK Government. When works complete the street will reflect the changing needs of city centres. Not only will there be great shops, but also spaces for events, entertainment and for people just to spend time in a more welcoming place that can be enjoyed both day and night.

Read more about our plans for Northumberland Street

Update on the works – May / June 2025

We are excited to share the progress Taylor Woodrow has made in May and June. Significant change has been made across various areas, ensuring that we are on track to enhance our city's primary shopping street, with several key areas reaching full completion. Here is an update for each area of the street: 

 Haymarket:

• Below ground tree pit and water storage system installed near the war memorial.
• Rain Garden installed along with the first of the bench seating on the street.
• Excavation has started in the centre of the street outside Halifax to create a further chevron shaped rain garden that will also include bench seating.
• There is a small area still to complete near the metro station/Milligan’s bakery.

By the end of June, we will have:
Finished the remaining paving around the rain garden and seating at the war memorial, planted the seasonal species and the seating area will be opened for public use.
 

East and West footpaths directly outside of the shop fronts:

• The majority of the footpaths directly outside of the shopfronts to both the east and west sides of the street are complete.
•The area in front of M&S and Sainsburys was delayed due to an issue with underground cabling. Work has now restarted and is progressing well.
• Northumberland Road - road closure in place at the junction with Northumberland Street for excavation, drainage, paving, tarmac of a small section of the road, and replacing the covers of the HVM (Hostile Vehicle Mitigation) bollards.
 

By the end of June, we will have:

•Stripped the existing paving outside M&S and Sainsburys, installed new drainage connections and 40% of the new paving. The remainder will be completed in July.
• Completed new drainage work and paving at the junction with Northumberland Road
 

Central area running down the street

• Significant excavation works in the centre section of the street outside of TK Maxx to create two tree pits.

By the end of June, we will have:

• Completed the first tree pit excavation and installed the water storage system.
• Started on excavation of the second tree pit.

Brunswick Place: 

The remaining paving to be completed by the end of June.

Looking ahead:

Throughout July and August we will be continuing with: 
•    the central area outside of TK Maxx and Fenwick with the excavation to create tree pits, install new drainage and under water storage, and paving the area.
•    the new rain garden and seating in the central area at the top of the street, outside of Haymarket metro.

We appreciate your patience and support as we continue to transform Northumberland Street into a more vibrant and accessible space for everyone.
 

Information Hub

Taylor Woodrow continues to operate its information hub at 19 Saville Row, just off Northumberland Street. This is a dedicated space to allow engagement with the local community and businesses and to keep everyone up to date on the project’s developments, raise any questions or concerns, and speak with Taylor Woodrow's Public Liaison Officer.
 

Working hours

The normal working hours are:

• Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
• Saturday, 8am to and 1pm
• Some agreed night time working 

Noise and disruption from works

• Installing ductwork and drainage
• Removing existing paving
• Installing foundations and tree pits

• Digging up the old concrete base slab of the old road

  Access will be maintained for pedestrians and deliveries.

Questions or comments

If you have questions or comments you can contact the council or our contractors.

Newcastle City Council

For general enquiries:

• email the city centre team
• call 0191 277 2067 and leave a message to request a call back
• submit your question online about Northumberland Street improvements

Taylor Woodrow (contractors)

For construction enquiries contact Taylor Woodrow public liaison officer Nicole Turley by:

• calling 07907 400676
• emailing Taylor Woodrow