Hi Jonathan,

Abusing Council workers is completely unacceptable. We have reported this to the Council and if you can let us know the taxi and delivery company names we will ensure they are notified as well.

The direction to make urgent changes to streets to allow social distancing came from national Government in response to Covid-19, in particular to protect older residents or those with underlying medical conditions. This has been advertised very widely and while not everyone will know the specific details, certainly delivery and taxi companies should be aware and have informed their drivers.

We could certainly look at the concerns you raise if you are able to be more specific, and provide feedback to the Council. Clearly, in some cases, deliver drivers will have to walk a little further from where they park to make a delivery but this is substantially different to ‘stopping people being able to work’.

The High Street already has substantial issues including illegal levels of air pollution and an accident blackspot. Neither are good for business. We hope these changes will help address these issues as well.

If you are aware of any local businesses that aren’t aware of the Council’s proposals then please feel free to point them in our direction and we will make sure they are kept up to date as best we can in addition to any Council comms.

I’ve just seen delivery drivers and taxi drivers giving a tirade of abuse to council workers on the high street painting lines on, its not their fault, its yours. your stopping people from being able to work and you have no idea. Nobody from the council has been to ask shop owners what they think about this ridiculous idea. You are completely ruining the last decent high street in Newcastle.