The principles of the West Road Transit Corridor fit within policy documents to do with transport and land use planning in the city of Newcastle. These documents include the:
The West Road is a strategic route into Newcastle City. It has very little bus priority measures in place yet carries more people on buses than the majority of routes in Tyne and Wear. The visual in the presentation illustrates that it is planned that the West Road maintain its current main use- that of a public transport corridor - only with more priority measures.
5 years ago a metro / tram like link was proposed to be placed along the West Road. This massive intervention was simply not achievable.
3 years ago it was proposed that the corridor be set aside for bus corridor SupeRoutes. This required less works than the Metro link but was still a large intervention.
2 years ago a proposal for express bus routes along the West Road was put forward. This intervention was larger in scope and road changes than that the West Road Transit Corridor that we are now looking to implement.
It is a key corridor in the city’s bus network - many of the buses that run along it go onward to the east and north of the city. This means improvements on this road will also benefit other areas of the city.
As one of the busiest bus routes in Tyne and Wear the West Road is an excellent choice for public transport improvements.
The West Road is also very important to the regeneration of West Newcastle. It is home to the major shopping area that serves people living in the West End. We want to benefit the shops by improving the road layout so people can use the shops for passing trade as well as making them easier to reach by public transport.
A main aim of this proposal is to make the West Road a cleaner, greener place to shop, eat, live and enjoy. This is good for the environment and by ensuring traffic flow is constant instead of stop-start we will reduce emissions along this main road.
We are proposing a range of changes. It is very important people come along to the drop-in sessions to see the plans for themselves. We are not proposing one solution for the entire road.
The road has different parts which require different improvements to create different effects.
The portion of road we are looking to change is around 5kilometres long. It has different widths and different characteristics. For example it is part shopping centre and part main road.
We are not going to ban motorists.
We are not looking to put in place a park and ride service.
We are not going to add lots of traffic to the surrounding area - we have studied the road system carefully and will be taking steps to avoid creating new rat runs.
We want to see buses running more reliably and efficiently, with less congestion and shorter journey times - plus easier parking if you use a car to get to the shops. Businesses will also benefit from easier loading and access.
We want to improve access to local shops and ensure more consistent reliable journey times for all users.
Pedestrians will find it easier to move around the street and cyclists will have more priority measures.
The scheme will also make the road safer and help to cut CO2 emissions for a cleaner, greener road - better for local communities and better for the environment.
Public consultation throughout May at ward committee meetings and sites along the West Road.
Report to the Council Executive for decision in July.
Possible submission for bid in August.
Discussions with Department for Transport in 2010.
If successful and funding granted we will move to detailed design which will include further consultation to ensure all the details are thoroughly thought through.
Delivery of the scheme in 2012, in time for the new bus network.
Any comments you give us about transport - not just about the West Road scheme - will be fed into a number of changes.
First, we’ll feed your concerns into your local ward charters - these will be agreements between communities and the Council as to what changes you want to see made in your area.
Second, we’ll take your issues to Nexus so they can take them into account in the redesign of the bus network. We know some people have difficulty accessing buses and we want to hear from you.
Third, we’ll work with Nexus and operators to try and provide services in the short term to make sure you can access shops and employment.
Page last updated: 16 August, 2011
