Ongoing construction works on Northumberland Street in Newcastle city centre could take another month to finish, with the city council now hoping the refurbishment will be completed by the end of August. The busy shopping street has been undergoing a disruptive overhaul since December 2023, and completion is now roughly a year overdue.
The multi-million pound project has included the installation of 50ft 'Pilgrim Pole' lighting columns, new seats and trees, and repaving. While much of the work is done, prominent areas at either end of the street remain dug up. A sixth and final Pilgrim Pole is being installed at the Blackett Street end, and a section outside Milligans bakery near Haymarket Metro station is fenced off.
Power grid work and deep clean
City council officials told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that they are waiting on Northern Powergrid to finish their work to provide full electrical connectivity to the street. Once that is done, Northumberland Street will undergo a deep clean. Council bosses are hopeful the scheme will be completed by the end of August at the latest.
A spokesperson from Northern Powergrid said: “Northern Powergrid is due to undertake a new connections scheme on Northumberland Street to provide the electricity infrastructure needed to support elements of the street's redevelopment. The work is scheduled to commence around the middle of August. We are working closely with project partners to support the delivery of these improvements.”
Plans to extend vehicle ban
Meanwhile, the local authority is also seeking to revive plans to extend the ban on delivery vehicles accessing the street. Currently, Northumberland Street is a 'pedestrian only' zone from 9.30am to 5.30pm, meaning vans must come and go outside those hours. The council now wants to extend that block so it would run from 8am to 10pm. Similar plans emerged in 2021 before being shelved and sparked concerns from some traders.
Critics described the proposal as “unworkable” because of the extreme hours it could force small, independent stallholders to work. Newcastle City Council said no final decision had been made and that it would consider feedback from local businesses and residents, adding that the ambition was to create a “safer, more attractive and pedestrian-friendly Northumberland Street”.
A spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "The proposed changes to vehicle access on Northumberland Street are not new. They are the same proposals consulted on in 2021, when limited objections were raised. Implementation was subsequently paused due to wider city centre developments, including works around the Northern Block on Pilgrim Street and proposed changes to Blackett Street."
The spokesperson added: "The aim is to further improve Northumberland Street as a safe, attractive and accessible destination. Extending the pedestrianised period would help create a more pleasant environment, reduce potential conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles, support outdoor hospitality, and help protect the street's paving and public realm by restricting larger vehicles and limiting access times. Many business premises benefit from rear servicing arrangements and may not be directly affected by the proposals. We recognise that some street traders rely on vehicles to transport produce and equipment and will continue to engage with them and anyone who has concerns as part of the consultation process. Nearby loading points would be retained, including via Lisle Street Car Park and on Ridley Place. Feedback received through the consultation will help us assess whether any further measures or adjustments may be needed to support business operations."
