Rows of plants have been installed next to one of Newcastle’s most famous landmarks, in an effort to make the city centre greener and block motorists from driving on the pavement.
A series of planters were added to either side of Blackett Street, around Grey’s Monument, last week.
Newcastle City Council said that it hoped the move would make one of the busiest parts of the city centre “more welcoming”, having previously shelved plans to pedestrianise the entire street – which is heavily used by buses and taxis.
Campaigners have also praised the green installations as a means of making the areas safer for pedestrians, having complained regularly of vehicles driving across or parking on the pavement.
General traffic is already banned from using Blackett Street and a vision to remove all vehicles from it completely was a key part of previous council proposals to radically overhaul the city centre.
But that idea was put on ice in 2022, following lengthy debate over the plans and a row with bus operators.
The council confirmed that the full pedestrianisation concept remains on hold, though it has not been ditched for good and could be revisited in the future – most likely after the construction of the huge HMRC office building on neighbouring Pilgrim Street is completed.
A spokesperson for Newcastle City Council said: “New planters have been installed along Blackett Street as part of our efforts to create a greener and more welcoming city centre for everyone.
“The planters will help to bring nature to this busy part of central Newcastle, complementing the newly installed rain gardens on Grey Street, and will also contribute to making the area safer for pedestrians.”
Walking and cycling campaign group Space for Gosforth welcomed the prospect of the Monument area being safer for people working, shopping and socialising in the city centre.
They told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We are really pleased the Council has installed new planters to add greenery and stop pavement parking by Monument. This will help make Monument more attractive and safer for everyone who uses it.
“We hope this is just the start and the council will look to further reduce the impact of traffic in the city centre and restore Richard Grainger’s original vision for Grainger Town, for streets and buildings to be ‘promenaded’ around as well as lived in.”
