Pressure grows over threat to new homes

Mar 1 2007 By Ross Smith, The Journal

Councillors in Newcastle are demanding the Government acts to stop the Highways Agency blocking new homes for the city.

A motion will be put to next week's city council meeting raising concerns over recent moves to obstruct development in riverside areas.

Members will vote on whether to lobby Government to clamp down on the Highways Agency's stance on homes which may add traffic to the A1 or A19.

It comes after the agency raised concerns that people moving into new houses planned for Walker and Scotswood may use the trunk roads.

Liberal Democrat councillor Greg Stone, who has tabled the motion, said last night: "Those are two of the flagship projects for delivery of sustainable communities in Newcastle that comply in significant respects with what the Government's asking us to do, and yet with no joined-up government, the Highways Agency is trying to block this.

"We see regeneration as a very important priority and we need to be able to bring forward projects to deliver more affordable housing and social housing, but we're being restricted.

"I want the Government to recognise the importance of the work that we're doing and take an active role in encouraging the Highways Agency to a more proactive stance on this."

His motion calls the agency's objections unjustified.

But a Highways Agency spokeswoman said: "Highways Agency has asked the local authority to involve us in the detailed planning process for housing developments at Walkerville and Scotswood.

"This allows for assessments to be made about whether or not plans could negatively impact on traffic flows on the A1.

"If Highways Agency is involved with developers and/or local authorities at an early stage in the planning process we are confident that mitigation can be found and that the need for formal objections can be avoided."

Coun Stone will also raise concerns about possible "re-profiling" of the Government's Decent Homes target, which could see renovations to council houses delayed by a year.

There are fears ministers could extend the timescale for getting homes up to scratch beyond the 2011 deadline.

John Lee, chief executive of Your Homes Newcastle, which manages the city's council housing, said: "We have written to the Department of Communities and Local Government requesting a quick decision.

"We remain committed to ensuring all council homes in Newcastle reach the Government's Decent Homes standard by the 2011 target."

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So how soon is `shortly'?

A crucial report on potential upgrades to the A1 will be handed to ministers "shortly" by highways chiefs.

Roads Minister Stephen Ladyman has said the Highways Agency is set to report on future upgrade opportunities along the A1 western bypass - although business chiefs last night called for clarity over the timing of its release.

Increased capacity on the road is seen as key to stopping developments nearby, including at the Team Valley, which has been highlighted by the Go For Jobs campaign run by The Journal and North-East Chamber of Commerce.

Dr Ladyman put off publication of proposals for the A1, expected last summer, until a study of North-East congestion was completed.

The Tyne and Wear investigation into traffic jams has been funded through the Government's transport innovation fund (TIF), which promises a share of £2bn to tackle congestion.

Mike Parker of the North-East Chamber of Commerce said last night it now wanted clarification on what Dr Ladyman meant by the report being delivered "shortly" because it was increasingly the case that could be "as long as the proverbial piece of string".

News of the Agency report emerged after Dr Ladyman replied to a written Parliamentary question about the future of the key route tabled by Newcastle Central MP Jim Cousins. Mr Cousins asked whether the A1 from the New Tyne Crossing to the Ponteland road interchange was capable of being widened from four to six lanes with slip roads within its existing embankments. He also asked whether the transport secretary had commissioned a study on the cost and feasibility of widening the A1 new Tyne Crossing to six lanes.

Dr Ladyman said: "The secretary of state has not commissioned a study to look at widening the A1 Tyne crossing to six lanes.

"However, the Highways Agency has been asked to look at future upgrade opportunities for the full length of the A1 western bypass.

"They are due to report to ministers shortly."

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Bosses take heart

Regeneration bosses at Newcastle City Council last night heralded a successful start to the project to transform a former shipbuilding area.

The Heart of Walker project will provide new businesses and community facilities.

An intensive consultation period on the plans began, with more than 1,000 people attending the launch event.

A series of workshops to discuss the proposals is now under way. The plans for Walker are designed to attract people back to the area, where 1,780 new homes are set to be built in a £430m redevelopment project.