Transport Consultation - Town Centre Movement and Waiting Restrictions Experimental Traffic Order

Notice is hereby given that on the 25th November 2020 the Borough Council of Gateshead made an experimental traffic order 'The Borough Council of Gateshead (Town Centre Movement and Waiting Restrictions) Experimental Traffic Order 2020

The Order which comes into force on the 4th December 2020 on an experimental basis will be in force for a maximum period of 18 months and the effect of the Order will be to:-

1. Amend the Borough Council of Gateshead (Traffic Movements) (Consolidation) Order 2010 to:
   1.  Insert a prohibition of driving at any time except buses and cycles along High West Street West side northbound from a point 104 metres north of centre line of Warwick Street north to its junction with Regent Street for a distance of 59 metres;
   2. Insert a no entry along Nelson Street at a point 65 metres east of its junction with West Street with an exemption for Emergency Services on Duty;
   3. Insert a no right turn on Regent Street Into High West Street and Nelson Street     At the exit of the car park heading in a northerly direction with exemptions for     Emergency Services on Duty;
   4. Insert a no left turn on Nelson Street At a point 100 metres west then south of Swinburne Place heading in a southerly direction with an exemption for Emergency Services on Duty;
   5. Insert a new schedule ‘right turn only except cycles’ on Wellington Street   in a Southerly direction into Junction with Askew Road.
2. Amend the Borough Council of Gateshead (Wellington Street, Gateshead) (Cycle Improvements) Traffic Regulation Order 2016 to:
   1. Remove the No Waiting at Any Time restrictions at Hills Street, items a, b, c and d.
3. Introduce Prohibition of Waiting At Any Time along Hills Street on Both sides from its junction with Wellington Street for its entire length, inclusive of junctions.

The Order includes a provision to enable the Council’s Service Director for Development, Transport and Public Protection (or their duly authorised officer) to modify or suspend any of the provisions within the Order, whilst it remains in force in accordance with Section 10(2) of the Act.

The Order comes into operation on 4^th December 2020 on an experimental basis and it will be in force for a maximum period of 18 months. 

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.

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 4^th December 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 Gateshead Council Civic Centre, Regent Street, Gateshead NE8 1HH.  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 after the date when the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order was made, 25^th November 2020, make an application for that purpose to the High Court.