Disappointed to see that someone forgot cyclists exist again. No lights provided for cyclists at the bottom of Newcastles main cycling street.

I wonder why people don't cycle in the city centre.

How about this floating bus stop on a road in Monkseaton that goes as far back as 2009 (although probably much further) or does it not count because its floating between two roads? Also this one in Whitley Bay double floating between roads and with a bike lane.

Thanks to @mikecookson.bsky.social for the work getting the path next to the Lidl development paved and ramps added. Immediately useful with the rain today. Now just for the rest of the path up to the park.

Looking on google maps after the fact it turns out there used to be a stop line here in 2023 and it was there as far back as 2008.

The confusing part is that there has never been traffic lights facing in the direction of that stop line. So the drivers never really knew when to stop.

So almost got hit by a Stagecoach Bus yesterday at Haymarket and it's led me down a traffic signals rabbit hole.
As there is no south facing stop line at the bus driver started trying to edge their way through despite me being halfway across with the green man showing.

I've been doing some reading about the historic transport network in the North East.

The bus lanes they are consulting on today are essentially the same as those reccomended 50 years ago

Unfortunately there aren't plans for one on Shields Road but it's close to the Byker Bridge ones.

I'm not sure if the LNER Newcastle station information was written by a human or AI.

Lets look at 3 of the FAQs

One of the most interesting transit maps I've seen. The interurban bus network of Great Britain.
Credit to u Parebunks on reddit

www.reddit.com/r/TransitDia...

PDF here
drive.google.com/file/d/1eqWO...

Sad that we were able to completely fill this bag with dog poo from a small local park.

Seems to be one or two owners doing this constantly. Hopefully now they can see the park is being looked after they will stop.

If not does anyone have any suggestions to tackle this?

On a related note did you know Newcastle council had a mobile Bus Lane enforcement van in 2018. Could be put to good use if its still knocking about.

There is one further complication that the 2009 order document an eastbound restriction in it. This is after Brunswick place so not where the busgate is. This carves out an exception for vehicles used for the conveyance of persons goods or merchandise to adjacent premesis.

There are three exceptions for Newgate and Percy Street emergency services, buses and those with passes granted by the council in consultation with the Chief of police. (mail vans, council vehicles and street sweepers aren't allowed to travel west on the street)

What you need is the TRO for the pedestrian zone from New Gate St West/ Percy St to Blackett St. As it's from before 2009 it's included in the 2009 Order that brings together lots of TROs. This shows the prohibition of vehicles onto Blackett St from New Gate St West and Percy St.

The 2016 TRO is removing one bus lane seen in the screenshot below and putting one in Blackett street. Erick street is the one to the left that used to go past the car park. This screenshot is from 2020 so they must have forgot to take down the sign. The white no crossing line remains.

Very few even less on holidays and Sundays it seems. This is the view now.

To add to this the expectation is so different in London that TFL have to clarify they can't offer free buses on New Years Eve.

We just want buses that run on New years eve and day.

These two maps highlight the difference in priorities for transport in the UK. On the left is buses running on a Sunday on the Right New Years day.

In Manchester the Bee network was buzzing on New years day. In the North east the only bus you can get is a coach out of the area to Leeds or London.

A 50m wide road or a 6 meter wide bridge.

I wonder which transports more people?
How about during the peak rush?

Which do you think feels better to travel on?
Which has a benefit to people's health?
Which joins communities and which one divides?