Residents 'mistaken' over cycle lane rumours

Thousands of people have signed a petition opposing a rumoured cycle lane plan, with yellow ribbons tied around trees said to be at risk.

Newcastle City Council has denied plans for a bike lane involving tree removal on Stamfordham Road in Westerhope, but some local councillors claim they have been told about a scheme which would see 30 trees felled.

But the Liberal Democrat-led authority said it would not go ahead with a new transport project without "genuine" community involvement, and those fearing the loss of trees were "mistaken".

It has also sparked concern about worsening congestion in a busy part of the city where thousands of homes have been built over recent years.

Westerhope resident Chris Parsons told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he would like to see the council develop "more logical and safer" cycle routes connecting the outer west's various housing estates, rather than using Stamfordham Road.

He is expected to present the petition for a debate at a full council meeting on 2 September.

"The problem is the traffic," he said. "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."

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.

Local Reform UK councillor Steven Rutherford said there was "overwhelming opposition" to the idea and 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 infrastructure.

Some 3,700 people have signed the petition so far.

However, the council - which was previously led by Labour until May - said those fearing the loss of trees were "mistaken".

Cabinet member responsible for active and public transport, Owen Burbidget, said: "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.

"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."

He said the council was reviewing plans in order to ensure it delivered a "connected, active city where everyone can reach their destination quickly and efficiently".

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