Council bosses have rejected a call to replace Newcastle’s “1970s monstrosity” Central Motorway with a tree-lined boulevard.
City chiefs were asked this week to consider getting rid of the busy road, which is used by around 70,000 vehicles every day. Brian Moore, the leader of the North East Party, claimed that the motorway “cuts off” the East End of Newcastle from the city centre and called for it to be scrapped as Newcastle City Council seeks to cut air pollution caused by traffic.
Addressing a full council meeting on Wednesday, Mr Moore called for the Central Motorway to be turned into a greenery-filled space that could be used by pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. On the other side of the Tyne, Gateshead Council has long planned to eventually create a similar development by demolishing the Gateshead Flyover.
Telling the city council that the Central Motorway had inhibited growth since it was opened in the 1970s, Mr Moore asked: “With the Central Motorway converted into a tree-lined, pedestrian-friendly road incorporating public art, prioritising public transport and cyclists, allowing the city centre to expand eastwards would make sense to a reasonable person.
“Given the desire of this authority to reduce carbon emissions, reduce pollution, expand the city and make Newcastle stand out as a must visit destination, would you agree with me that the infilling of the A167, still giving local traffic, cyclists, public transport and pedestrians access to the Tyne Bridge while discouraging through traffic, is a great idea?”
Labour councillor Jane Byrne, the council’s cabinet member for transport, agreed that the council should be creating a “greener Newcastle” by encouraging walking and cycling, but said that could not be achieved through “isolated projects”. Calling for a “comprehensive approach” to transport across the North East, Coun Byrne replied: “Currently the Central Motorway carries approximately 70,000 vehicles per day between Newcastle and Gateshead via the Tyne Bridge and forms a key part of the region’s transport network.
"I would never countenance making changes to the Central Motorway unless it was part of a much wider plan that ensured viable alternative routes and transport options. I am sure that the people of Newcastle would agree with me that this is the right approach.”
The Central Motorway is due to be refurbished alongside the long-awaited restoration of the Tyne Bridge under £40m plans, though it has been suggested that escalating costs could mean the revamp of the iconic crossing has to be prioritised for funding.
Read More:
- Cheaper Tyne and Wear Metro tickets via mobile Pop card still off limits for iPhones
- £4bn devolution deal offers North East fresh hope in bid to reopen Leamside railway line and extend Metro
- End to Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel renovation saga finally in sight – 10 years after work started
- Plea for North East mayor to take control of struggling bus services and end 'downward spiral'
'We are devastated beyond words' – Parents pay tribute to six-year-old killed by falling tree
