Newcastle City Council leader Colin Ferguson has confirmed a date for a public meeting in Westerhope, where he will face questions from residents over a disputed cycle lane plan. The meeting will be held at Westerhope Methodist Church, on Stamfordham Road, on Thursday, October 29, between 6pm and 7pm.
Controversy over tree felling claims
Controversy erupted in Westerhope this summer over claims that dozens of trees were at risk of being chopped down to make way for a rumoured bike route along Stamfordham Road. More than 4,000 people signed a petition opposing the idea, which Newcastle City Council has insisted is not being pursued.
Liberal Democrat council leader Colin Ferguson promised last month that there was “nothing to hide” amid accusations of a lack of transparency at the Civic Centre over the alleged plans. He committed to holding a public meeting in the Outer West suburb where he would answer residents’ concerns face to face.
Council leader’s commitment to residents
Coun Ferguson said: “There are many residents in Westerhope who care deeply about their area and they want their voices to be heard. As we have stated previously, we are committed to ensuring that any developments are delivered in consultation with local people and take into account their views. We welcome community feedback and I look forward to meeting residents later this month.”
Coun Ferguson will be joined at the meeting by Coun Owen Burbidge, the council’s cabinet member responsible for active travel.
Background to the dispute
In August, dozens of ribbons were tied around Stamfordham Road trees which it was claimed were under threat – though the council administration insisted this was “based on a mistaken belief”. Local councillors said they had been shown designs for a proposed cycle lane on the north side of Stamfordham Road, between its junction with Newbiggin Lane and West Denton Way, which would have required the removal of more than 30 trees and stone walls.
Reform UK’s opposition leader in Newcastle, Steven Rutherford, started the petition opposing the cycle lane and warned it “places unnecessary strain on an already stretched community, removes valued green infrastructure, and fails to address the real transport needs of local residents”.
Coun Ferguson said last month that his administration had made no decision to remove trees on Stamfordham Road for a cycle lane and neither did their Labour predecessors, prior to May’s local elections. He told the council chamber in September that only early stage drafts of a potential scheme had been shared with ward councillors and were circulated without funding having been secured for any such project or a decision being made to go ahead with it.
