We are all familiar with thinking about the environmental and health aspects of traffic - congestion, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, accidents, physical inactivity - but what about the economics, the actual costs of these things in pounds? And how do these negative impacts affect Gosforth High Street, as these are the issues that the soon-to-be-announced proposals for the High Street need to fix?
In 2009 the UK government calculated the negative impact of transport on the UK economy
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This is a guest blog by local journalist Carlton Reid. The wide, smooth and kerb-delineated cycleway on John Dobson Street is believed by many to be the first and finest such infrastructure in the North East for people on bikes. It’s the finest but it’s not the first. Read on to discover how the North East was once a leader in providing for cyclists and how Carlton wants to bring these historic routes back into use. Read more [...] 
A Bike Train is a led ride along safe routes, and the idea is that it shows people a good route to work to get them started commuting by bike.
I heard that GoSmarter was running a Bike Train from Kingston Park through Gosforth to Quorum business park and decided to try it out. I checked out the route and timetable online.
I registered for the Bike Train, joining at my nearest stop which was Regent Centre, and received a confirmation email.
The journey
On the morning of the 
In this post we look at the Environmental Impact Assessment Screening & Scoping Report ("the EIASSR") lodged as part of the planning documents for the original plans for the Blue House roundabout and Jesmond Dene Road. The EIASSR's aim was to identify the different types of environmental assessments that would have been needed had those plans gone ahead. 
At the SPACE for Gosforth public meeting in Trinity Church we outlined how the size of the Blue House roundabout was due to a predicted increase in vehicle traffic; and how an alternative that prioritises helping people get about on foot, by cycle and public transport could be a viable alternative that meets Newcastle City Council's objectives and saves the Town Moor.
This post is our feedback to the Blue House to Haddricks Mill scheme. You can comment on these proposals up to Sunday 21 
Ms H. Golightly,
Chief Operating Officer,
North East Local Enterprise Partnership.
Dear Ms Golightly,
Re: The Northern Access Corridor funding criteria
I am writing on behalf of SPACE for Gosforth, a residents' group based in Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne. Like many others in Newcastle, we are very concerned about the current proposals put forward for the Northern Access Corridor and their likely negative impact on public health right across the city.
While we fully support 
Of the three proposals open for comment on the Commonplace website the proposal for the Blue House roundabout has attracted by far the most comments, almost all of which are negative due to the size of the proposed replacement and the consequential loss of green space.
While the Council might seek to justify this with a forecast increase in motor traffic, it would also be a significant loss to the City. The health benefits of green space are well known but there are also economic benefits. 
If you were asked to name one place that's more in thrall to the car than the UK, most people would say the USA. That's why, when American cities concerned about road safety, pollution and congestion have wanted to rebalance their roads to favour healthier and less polluting alternatives, they have had to make their case in very strong terms. This has resulted in studies that show the impact of pedestrian and cycling improvements on safety as well as on travel preferences, on house prices and on 
For some, cars are a necessity of modern life, especially for those with limited mobility. Finding space to park though is not always easy, and with reductions planned in the popular Salters Road car park it is no surprise that people are concerned.
At SPACE for Gosforth we want to assess the impact of the changes to Salters Road car park, in particular on those who need to drive and on those who live or work nearby.
This isn't just about shoppers or about residents. This includes parking