Transport Consultation - Town Centre Experimental Traffic Order

Notice is hereby given that on the 12th August 2020 the Council made an experimental traffic order 'The Borough Council of Gateshead (Town Centre, Covid 19 Response) Experimental Traffic Order 2020

Notice is hereby given that on the 23rd December 2020 the Council made an amemdent to this experimental traffic order.  The details of which are attached to this consultation.

The Order comes into operation on the 20th August 2020 on an experimental basis and it will be in force for a period of 18 months.  The effect of the Order will be to 

1. Amend the Borough Council of Gateshead (Gateshead Town Centre) Traffic Regulation Order 2014 by removing loading and disabled bay restrictions as set out in the Order.
2. Amend the Borough Council of Gateshead (Traffic Movements) (Consolidation Order) 2010 to;
   1.  suspend a prohibition of driving at any time except pedal cycles and buses along Jackson Street;
   2. amend the no entry along the unnamed road linking Charles Street to Jackson Street (located between 23 and 25 Jackson Street) south of a point 23 metres south of its junction with Jackson Street to provide an exemption for security vehicles.
   3. Introduce a Prohibition of Driving along Jackson Street, both sides, for its entire length with an exemption for Security Vehicles.
3. Amend the Borough Council of Gateshead (Jackson Street) Traffic Regulation Order 1988 by suspending vehicles proceeding along Jackson Street in a direction other than westerly.
4. Amend the Borough Council of Gateshead (Wellington Street)(Cycle Improvements) Traffic Regulation Order 2016 by suspending the parking places as set out in the Order.
5. Introduce a bus and pedal cycle only lane along Charles Street, East side, nearside Lane (i) From a point 8 metres east of Bensham Roundabout in an easterly direction for a distance of 116 metres.

The reason for proceeding by way of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order is to enable the Council to create a safe environment for pedestrians and cyclists which is in line with the government guidance on maintaining social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Full details are contained in the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order which, together with a map showing the length of road affected and a statement of the Council’s reasons for making the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order, may be examined online at http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/trafficschemes or a copy can be requested by contacting telephone number (0191) 4332169 (Ref: TS/0003825).

The Council will be considering in due course whether the provisions of the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order should be continued in force indefinitely. Within a period of 6 months from 20^th August 2020, any person may object to the making of such a permanent order.  Any such objection must be in writing, stating the grounds on which it is made, and be sent to the Strategic Director of Corporate Services and Governance at the address above.  Any comments in support of the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order are also invited during this period.

Any person who wishes to question the validity of the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order or of any of its provisions on the grounds that it is not within the powers conferred by the Act or that any of the requirements of the Act or of any relevant regulations made thereunder have not been complied with may, within 6 weeks from 12^th August 2020 when the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order was made, make an application for that purpose to the High Court.