This important roundabout is one of the main routes into our city-centre and across the city but this busy junction has many issues with congestion, safety and poor signalling which we want to put right.
We drew up plans for the roundabout design in May and asked for your comments. Most people were supportive of the design but there were some concerns about access to shops, businesses and homes off the junction. We took these comments on board and our engineers have designed a new layout.
Work was due to start in the summer, but had to be delayed so we could make the changes to the design that residents and local businesses requested. Work will now start In October and we expect it to be completed by April 2015. We will try and keep disruptions to a minimum but please bear with us during these highways works and alterations to improve this important junction.
Improvements to Cowgate roundabout
Cowgate roundabout is used by thousands of motorists daily, as well as being a major route for public transport - with almost 70 buses passing through the junction every hour during the day. The current road layout creates congestion and delays, adding to longer journey times. Pedestrians using this junction have to use the pedestrian subway and many feel unsafe doing so, making it difficult for people to get around the area. We are aware that cyclists who use this junction also feel unsafe as there are no cycling routes.
We applied for and won £3 million from the Department of Transport to make major improvements to this important junction as we want to make it safer and better for everyone.
Major improvements that are planned are:
- changing the road layout by making one large junction from the existing roundabout and mini-roundabout to reduce congestion and collisions
- putting in better and joined up signalling to increase the smooth flow of traffic and reduce journey times
- making priority lanes for buses to help speed up public transport
- removing the unpopular subway and replacing it with street-level and signalised crossings – making it easier and safer to cross the junction
- providing better access to local shops and services including Morrisons
- creating dedicated and direct cycle routes through the junction making it safer for cyclists
- after consultation with residents and businesses we revised the slip road to access lower Cowgate and the businesses from the A167
As Cowgate roundabout is a heavily-used route, we appreciate that there will be some delays while works are underway and apologise in advance for any inconvenience. However, when complete these improvements will make it much easier for everyone to get around. We will try and keep disruptions to a minimum but please bear with us during these highways work and alterations to transform our city’s infrastructure.
Re-Newcastle – investing in our future
Newcastle is about to see the biggest investment in its highways infrastructure for a generation.
The big improvements planned to Cowgate roundabout are part of a wider five-year plan to modernise and upgrade our highways so they will meet the needs of a flourishing modern city long into the future.
Our plan is based on three big changes:
- Making it easier to go around Newcastle with major investment in the A1 and A19
- Making it easier to go across Newcastle with congestion-busting alterations to key junctions
- Making it easier to travel within the city centre for people to shop and get around
We appreciate that there will be some delays while works are underway and apologise in advance for any inconvenience. However, when complete these improvements will make it easier for everyone to get around.
How to find out more about Cowgate roundabout
Come along to any of our public events to see our plans and speak to our transport planners.
- KFC, Ponteland Road, Cowgate, 17 September 8am – 11am
- Aldi, McKendrick Villas, Cowgate, 18 September 10am – 1pm
- Morrisons, Two Ball Lonnen, Cowgate, 19 September 10am – 1pm
You can also comment on our plans by 24 September 2014.
