Hi Robert,

Thanks for your comment. We’re always happy to take up issues in quality especially where they might have an impact on safety, which is sadly lacking in the current pre-scheme set up.

As for ‘over-engineered’ it’s not clear what you are referring to but if you can let us know we can have a look. Generally the scheme provides little more than the minimum expected and for a road of this size. It would be more appropriate given the width to have 2-way lanes on both sides but that was ruled out to avoid having to fell mature trees, reduce the number of traffic lanes and/or a more expensive realignment of the carriageway.

The question of enforcement is a good one but perhaps better directed at dangerous or anti-social behaviour such as speeding, pavement parking or close-passing.

You may also be interested in our more recent review of the cycle lane scheme including the final plan which will show you how the lane will be routed by the Three Mile Inn.
https://www.spaceforgosforth.com/broadway-to-brunton-cycle-lane/

Now that the “scheme” is well and truly under way, and we see the totally over engineered, shoddy workmanship that the city council call a professional finish, to add insult to injury the latest tranche south of McCracken Park has the appearance of the Yellow Brick Road – heaven only knows what route the cycleway will take on the approach to and past the Three Mile Inn. What is certain is that there is no way cyclists are going to use THIS cycleway – therefore – given all the hype relating to cyclists not wanting share space with others, it begs the question – the council have made “the bed” (the cycleway) so the cyclists MUST now use it, for if they don’t surely they ought to be fined. After all, motorists are fined when using the bus lanes.

The Final decision made at the Traffic Appeal, Regulatory and Appeals Sub-Committee
Monday 7th November, 2016, which having considered the objections supported the scheme, is available here.
http://democracy.newcastle.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=860&MId=7799&Ver=4

David, thank you for reading the article and for your comment.

I do think it would help all of us if we tried to understand each other’s point of view more rather than rushing to judge. For example, not that many people seem to know that the Highway code actually says that cyclists are free to ride on the road and gives a list of cases where they should ride central in a lane for their own safety. No doubt the person you mention would have a different version of events for the same situation you describe, and might possibly cite some action on your part that lead to their response, but even if this person was acting inappropriately (and I find it hard from your description to tell) we shouldn’t be surprised that people are not perfect all the time as that is just what it is to be human. I see plenty of examples of this in Gosforth and in many cases it is not someone’s own life that is being put in danger but that of others – and that is unacceptable.

What we do need to ask for is that when the Council put in new safe cycle routes that they are designed to be attractive to as wide a range of users as possible. The Broadway to Brunton Lane proposals look as good as I’ve seen from that perspective, though we have yet to see the final result of course.