Red route restrictions to tackle parking problems

New city centre traffic restrictions are to be introduced in an effort to tackle "dangerous and obstructive" parking on bus routes, according to councillors.

Red lines will be added to Newcastle's Blackett Street as well as along Newgate Street, Grainger Street, the bottom of Westgate Road and on Neville Street past Central Station.

Newcastle City Council's Liberal Democrat cabinet member Peter Lovatt said the 18-month trial aimed to curb delays to buses which were "not acceptable".

However, opposition leader Steven Rutherford of Reform UK predicted a "public outcry" and feared it was a cash-making exercise.

The red routes are planned to be introduced in the coming months with enforcement undertaken as soon as the schemes are operational.

Lovatt said: "These trials are to review measures to keep our city moving and ensure we have reliable public transport."

But Rutherford declared himself "not a big fan".

He said: "It seems to be another way of penalising motorists who are just trying to go about their day.

Rutherford said: "There's no doubt in my mind that once the public outcry starts because people have been fined for silly things, we will have another U-turn.

"It's just another way of trying to claw cash from people who are already struggling."

Motorists who stop on red routes can receive a penalty charge notice.

The only exceptions are Hackney licensed taxis dropping off or picking up passengers or the driver of a vehicle displaying a blue badge stopping to drop off or pick up a disabled person.

A consultation will run during the first six months of the scheme, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The council said feedback from the consultation would be used to determine whether any changes were needed before the measures are either made permanent or removed.

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