Anti-social behaviour

We have heard of concerns from some residents recently regarding anti-social behaviour during the dark winter evenings.

Anti-social behaviour can be a number of things such as litter, fly-tipping, drinking in the street, nuisance neighbours, noise, abandoned vehicles, threatening behaviour.

We have updated our standing pages on this website to provide a link to anti-social behaviour information issued by Northumbria Police, Newcastle City Council and Newcastle and Northumbria universities.

Read more on this website about anti-social behaviour.

Contact Northumbria Police

The guidance sets out that you should call Northumbria Police on 101 if there is anti social behaviour in the street or for any other sort of crime.

Call 999 if it is more serious/ emergency.

Contact the Noise Team

Contact Newcastle City Council’s Noise Team to report noise from dwellings (unless people have spilled out onto the street).

The Council’s Noise Team no longer operates a regular night time service.

But you can call to make the complaint at night – by dialling 0191 278 7878 – and it will be followed up the next day.

Alternatively you can telephone the next day when you will be able to speak to a member of the council’s Noise Team.

You can also contact the Noise Team by email : psr@newcastle.gov.uk.

You can also read some guidance about Operation Oak and general noise, nuisance or other complaints to Newcastle University or Northumbria University on this website.

January 16, 2019January 28, 2019

Tributes paid to former Lord Mayor who has sadly passed away

The following announcement has been made by Newcastle City Council:

Tributes were paid today to a former Lord Mayor of Newcastle who has passed away.

Former Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Cookson died on Sunday 13 January after a short illness. He was 74.

He was Lord Mayor from May 2009 to May 2010 and became an Alderman in 2012. In 2006 he became Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport when the city council was controlled by the Liberal Democrats.

Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Nick Forbes, said: “Mike was a real gentleman who cared deeply about our great city and served with distinction as Lord Mayor and as a Cabinet Member.

“My heartfelt sympathies are with his wife, family and many colleagues who will miss him dearly.”

Leader of the Liberal Democrats on the council, Cllr Anita Lower, said: “Mike will be fondly remembered by councillors from all political parties.

“He was a great ambassador for his community. Along with his wife Dorrie, he served as Lord Mayor and gave distinguished service to the city.

“He bore his illness with great dignity as he did all things and I personally will remember the support and encouragement he gave to me.

“Our thoughts are with his family.”

Mr Cookson leaves a wife and son.

Notes to editors:

In 2010 Mr Cookson was the first Lord Mayor in 900 years to swear in women as hereditary freemen of Newcastle.

He was first elected as a councillor on 4th May 1978 representing Gosforth ward until 1988.

In 2000 he was elected to represent South Gosforth ward and following boundary changes in 2004 he represented East Gosforth Ward until 2011.

The above news story was issued by Newcastle City Council and included on the Newcastle City Council website.

January 14, 2019

Killingworth Road could re-open from May

The following announcement has been made by Newcastle City Council:

Newcastle City Council is advising motorists that Killingworth Road could re-open to traffic from May providing the weather conditions remain stable.

The council say current project timelines, barring severe weather events such as last year’s Beast from the East, could see the road partially open to traffic before summer.

Due to on-going construction works, initially only one-way (south bound) traffic and pedestrians could be accommodated in the available road space. Estimates show two-way traffic could use the road from July onwards.

Essential work by contractors is still taking place around the Metro bridge which has pushed back the early 2019 re-opening. Further construction work is required before the road can safely be re-opened to traffic and pedestrians.

Project manager, Jon Higgins from Newcastle City Council said: “We appreciate the inconvenience the extended closure on Killingworth Road has had on the travelling public and we would like to reassure motorists that we are working closely with contractors to open the road as soon as possible.

“Current estimates show that we could have one-way traffic using the road in May, but this is heavily based on no further complications such as severe weather conditions further hampering progress on site.

“We know this is disappointing for motorists and we appreciate their patience during the extended road closure, but safety is paramount before we can allow traffic and pedestrians back on Killingworth Road.”

The project was beset with difficulties during the gas pipes replacement programme with Northern Gas Networks which caused it to severely over-run.

Engineers have been reviewing the timeline to compensate for the delays but with multiple contractors involved and complex engineering work required the project has slipped back.

Contractors are currently finalising piling works to construct new retaining walls next to the Metro bridge. Once this is complete, construction teams can access the site under the bridge to do final road-widening works.

A phased opening is planned which will allow traffic and pedestrians with safe routes through the roadworks. As the scheme progresses, further road space will become available and two-way traffic will be introduced.

The council will continue the last stages of the works with installing widened footpaths, cycle lane, bus lane, vehicle lane and safer crossings.

Construction work will continue into early 2020.

Once complete, the project will improve air quality, reduce journey times and improve public transport reliability on one of the major commuter routes into the city.

The above news story was issued by Newcastle City Council and included on the Newcastle City Council website. It has been included here for information and does not necessarily represent the views of High West Jesmond Residents’ Association.

January 6, 2019

Christmas tree – recycle it, don’t leave it in the back lane

Do not dispose of your Christmas tree in the back lane. Please remember to do your bit and recycle it by taking it to one of the council’s household recycling centres

It’s always a sad day when the Christmas tree has to come down. But the good news is that any real trees can be recycled!

If you bought a real Christmas tree this year, you need to make the effort to dispose of it responsibly – don’t leave it in the back lane as Newcastle City Council will not collect it as part of household rubbish collections – you need to take it yourself to a household waste and recycling centre.

‘Real’ trees are recyclable and can be shredded into chippings which are then used locally in parks or woodland areas.

Remember to remove all tinsel and decorations and any pots or stands.

Find out more about recycling Christmas trees on the recyclenow.com website.

Find out more about recycling at Christmas on the Newcastle City Council website.

Council will not collect Christmas trees from back lanes

Newcastle City Council’s website says that Christmas trees should be taken to one of the city’s household waste recycling points.

Christmas trees will not be accepted by Newcastle City Council as part of your wheelie bin household rubbish – so please do not leave them in your back lane.

Local Christmas tree recycling points are located at the Newcastle City Council household waste recycling centres (listed below).

Household waste and recycling centres in Newcastle

Brunswick

Brunswick Industrial Estate
Sandy Lane
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE13 7BA

Byker

Glasshouse Street off Walker Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE6 1AH

Walbottle

Walbottle Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE15 8HY

More details and opening hours of Newcastle City Council household recycling centres

If you enjoyed your Christmas with a real Christmas tree then please dispose of it responsibly – recyle it by following Newcastle City Council guidance and taking it yourself to a household waste recycling centre.

For opening hours and more details about Newcastle City Council household waste and recycling centres please see the following web page maintained by Newcastle City Council https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/environment-and-waste/rubbish-waste-and-recycling/find-recycling-centre-or-rubbish-tip

December 6, 2018January 6, 2019

Newcastle Parks and Allotments Trust Chief Executive named

The following announcement has been made by Newcastle City Council:

James Cross, the former Chief Executive of Natural England, has been selected as the first Chief Executive of Newcastle’s pioneering Parks and Allotments Trust.

For the last four years James has led Natural England, an advisory body working with central government that is responsible for the creation of National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Beauty and National Nature Reserves.

James has also worked as part of Open Access to countryside, the network of National Trials and was the Custodian of the Countryside Code, playing a vital role in developing and delivering positive experiences in open, green spaces and parks across the country. He also has strong North East connections and is a Board Member and Trustee of the University of Teesside.

James will work closely with Jim Beirne MBE, the current Chief Executive of Live Theatre, who has overseen numerous innovative commercial cultural partnerships. Jim was selected as the Chair of the Trust in July, alongside a founding Board of Trustees, made up of 13 individuals from a variety of backgrounds and with a wealth of expertise.

Both James and Jim, as well as the other trustees, were recruited by a panel of experts that included Newcastle City Council Councillors, Officers and representatives from the National Trust.

Newcastle Parks and Allotments Trust is the City Council’s innovative response to budget cuts of over 90% following seven years of national austerity. With growing concerns about the future of its green estate, the Council – determined to protect the City’s parks and allotments from further cuts – decided to establish the new charity back in November 2017, to ensure that Newcastle’s green estate continues to flourish and grow.

The pioneering Trust is being developed with advice and support from the National Trust and with investment from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and its development has also benefited from valuable input from the public following city-wide consultation and extensive research.

Following the announcement James Cross said:

“The parks, allotment and green spaces in and around Newcastle are amazing and enhance our lives by providing a place right in the heart of our communities to improve our physical and mental wellbeing, to play sport, to practice our hobbies or to spend time with our friends and family.

I am over the moon to be able to work alongside the people of Newcastle to find new ways of strengthening these connections, forging new ones and investing in the parks future.”

Speaking on behalf of Newcastle Parks Trust, Chair Jim Beirne MBE said:

“I am delighted to welcome James Cross on board as Chief Executive of the Newcastle Parks and Allotments Trust, he brings a wealth of experience from Natural England, to compliment the local and business experience on the board, to drive the Trust forward as a truly innovative partnership”

Councillor Kim McGuinness, Newcastle City Council Cabinet member for Culture, Sport and Public Health said:

“I am delighted to welcome James into his role as Chief Executive of the Newcastle Parks and Allotments Trust.

The experience, passion and dedication that James has shown throughout his career, and his experience leading Natural England make him the perfect candidate to drive forward our vision for this innovative charitable trust.

Our Parks are valuable assets and loved by our residents. They are a big part of what makes Newcastle a brilliant place to live, work and visit and the Board of Trustees will work closely with James to keep parks at the heart of our city”

Following the rigorous selection process to appoint the Chief Executive, Chair and Board, the Trust is now in a strong position to take the next steps in its development and will begin the process of registering itself as a charitable organisation.

The Trust will take on the care of Newcastle’s parks and allotments in 2019.

The above news story was issued by Newcastle City Council and included on the Newcastle City Council website. It has been included here for information and does not necessarily represent the views of High West Jesmond Residents’ Association.

October 28, 2018

Newcastle residents could be told to recycle fewer items

“Confused” residents could be told to recycle fewer items after costing council bosses £500,000 by putting the wrong kind of rubbish in their bins.

Newcastle rubbish and recycling bins – Photo courtesy BBC News Tyne & Wear/ Google

BBC News Tyne & Wear has reported the following story:

“Newcastle City Council said it was considering limiting its efforts to a small number of items that are “very clearly able to be recycled”.

The local authority must cover the cost of removing the wrong type of rubbish, such as nappies or food waste.

Contamination can also result in recycling being sent to landfill.

Nick Kemp, cabinet member for the environment, told a scrutiny panel meeting on Thursday: “It is quite a complicated area for something that should be very simple. We are looking at a revised strategy.

“We are looking at potentially identifying a smaller number of items that are very clearly able to be recycled.

“It may mean that more items that could be recycled actually go to landfill, but there would be less contamination.”

In March it was revealed contamination issues cost the authority half a million pounds in 2017/18.”

The above news item was reported on 26 October 2018 by BBC News Tyne & Wear and you can read the story on their website.

See also our earlier news story on Newcastle City Council waste strategy consultation