Work set to start on town centre walking and cycling improvement scheme
A scheme to create new cycleways and footways in Newcastle town centre – providing continuity from existing routes and link to Keele University and Stoke-on-Trent train station – begins on July 7.
It will complete the route from the A52 George Street into the town centre, with works on Hassell Street and the A527 Barracks Road around the junction of the two roads. It aims to encourage more cycling and walking, supporting healthier lifestyles and reducing town centre traffic. Work is scheduled to finish in September.
Cycle markings will be painted on Hassell Street and there will be installation of a widened shared use footway at the Hassell Street/Barracks Road junction.
The crossing on Barracks Road would also be upgraded and the central reservation widened. A widened shared use footway will be installed on the west side of Barracks Road between the crossing and Castle House. Traffic signals on the main road will be refurbished with areas of the main road also resurfaced.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council secured UK Government funding for the scheme, which is being carried out by Staffordshire County Council. There will be a series of temporary traffic management systems in place on Barracks Road and Hassell Street throughout the summer. Barracks Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction for eight weeks from 7 July. The Hassell Street junction will be closed for six weeks from Monday 21 July.
Access to Hassell Street will be maintained via Windsor Street and Scott Street. There will also be several overnight road closures at the end of August to do the resurfacing. Dates and durations of the traffic management later in the scheme will be published later in the scheme.
People are being advised to allow additional journey time if travelling in the area.
Future active travel projects include extending the Greenway from the A34, along Station Walks to George Street and improved cycling and walking connectivity through the town centre.
Stephen Sweeney, Deputy Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Cabinet member for Finance, Town Centres and Growth, said:
Millions of pounds are being invested in different ways in Newcastle’s town centre to make it an attractive place for residents of all ages to live, work and enjoy themselves safely.
Developing walking and cycling routes, including those which link to Keele University and Hanley is an integral part of that development as we make the town centre more easily accessible.”
Peter Mason, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Strategic Highways, said:
This scheme will provide the town centre cycleway section as part of a continuous link from Stoke-on-Trent railway station to Keele University.
It is part of a joint drive with Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council to improve facilities for cyclists and pedestrians in the town and to encourage healthier lifestyles.
Our project team will make every effort to keep disruption to a minimum though we’d encourage people to allow extra travel time when using this route.”