A war of words has broken out over a rumoured cycle lane plan in the outer west of Newcastle. More than 3,700 people have signed a petition opposing a potential bike route being built on Stamfordham Road, in Westerhope, and dozens of yellow ribbons have been tied around trees along the busy road that it is claimed are under threat.
Newcastle City Council has not made any such plan public and has denied allegations surrounding the alleged project, as the controversy has grown this week. Despite the council’s denial, local councillors say they have been told about the scheme and believe that more than 30 trees could be removed to make way for the cycle lane.
Petition and Concerns
It has also sparked concern about worsening congestion in a busy part of the city where thousands of new homes have been built over recent years. The council insisted on Tuesday that it has “no plans to install a cycle lane on Stamfordham Road that would involve removing trees” and would not go ahead with a new transport project without “genuine” community involvement.
Westerhope resident Chris Parsons told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he would prefer to see the council develop “more logical and safer” cycle routes connecting the outer west’s various housing estates, rather than using Stamfordham Road. Mr Parsons is expected to present the petition for a debate at a full council meeting on September 2.
He added: “The problem is the traffic. If only they had done what they originally planned to do and put the infrastructure in before they built the houses, with a new bypass, but that never happened. It has taken a long time to get this village feel in Westerhope and the council now want to destroy it and not tell us.”
Council Response
It is claimed the cycle lane would run on the north side of Stamfordham Road, between its junction with Newbiggin Lane and West Denton Way. Denton and Westerhope councillor Steven Rutherford said there was “overwhelming opposition” to the idea.
Coun Rutherford, who leads the city’s Reform UK opposition group, started the petition which warns that outer west families are already faced with “worsening congestion, longer journey times, and increased traffic” due to housebuilding and a lack of new infrastructure. It adds: “This scheme, as it stands, places unnecessary strain on an already stretched community, removes valued green infrastructure, and fails to address the real transport needs of local residents.”
However, the council said those fearing the loss of trees were “mistaken”. Lib Dem Owen Burbidget, the council’s cabinet member responsible for active and public transport, responded: “We are aware that yellow ribbons have been put on trees down Stamfordham Road based on a mistaken belief that they are due to be felled to make way for a cycle lane. This is not correct. This administration has no plans to install a cycle lane on Stamfordham Road that would involve removing trees.
“Local ward members are welcome to engage with us on our developing transport plans and how these might affect their communities, either directly with myself or through cross-party working groups. Any of the improvement works or travel initiatives will be delivered in consultation directly with residents and no scheme would proceed without genuine community feedback as part of the process.
“We are currently reviewing the Movement Strategy and the associated Implementation Plan in order to ensure we deliver a connected, active city where everyone can reach their destination quickly and efficiently.”
