Category Archives: Safety

Gosforth High Street Bus Lane Decision

Newcastle City Council has confirmed the outcome of its Gosforth High Street bus lane trial. In a Twitter/X post featuring a long out-of-date picture of Gosforth High Street, the Council announced the decision, saying that they are "investing in your commute" by making the bus lane on Gosforth High Street permanent. In doing so, the Council have acknowledged that the intention of the trial was never to support High Street businesses, nor to enable people to travel safely to the shops.  Read more [...]

Hoppings Traffic Management

A few weeks back the Hoppings arrived to take over the Town Moor. In this blog we look at transport-related issues raised by this event and hope that everyone involved in its organisation, including The Freemen, the Council and Northumbria Police, will learn and improve so that next year's Hoppings can be safe and accessible for all visitors. Read more [...]

Gosforth High Street – Good Policy, Terrible Plan

Newcastle City Council has proposed a new layout for Gosforth High Street. SPACE for Gosforth is very concerned this plan won't make the High Street any safer, doesn't do anything to improve the shopping environment and doesn't appear to be the result of any meaningful community engagement. This is the SPACE for Gosforth response. Read more [...]

Northumbria Police and Crime Plan 2023

SPACE for Gosforth supports well-evidenced initiatives to ensure walking and cycling are safe for anyone who wishes to walk or cycle, regardless of age or ability. An important part of this is road policing, to minimise dangerous and careless driving and other behaviours that create risks for people while walking or cycling. Read more [...]

Sat Navs are ruining Gosforth

The website CityMonitor recently published an article "How Google Maps is ruining your neighbourhood". The article explains that, since they were introduced in 2009, Sat Nav apps have caused an increase of traffic on minor roads. While the sales pitch of Sat Nav apps is that they enable drivers to avoid congestion, the actual outcome is that minor roads can now be just as congested as main roads.

In effect traffic has been displaced from main roads onto minor roads. Read more [...]