Council provides Northumberland Street regeneration works update

Newcastle City Council has issued an update on the construction works that have dominated the area for the past two years.

Businesses, shoppers and city centre workers have had to endure heavy disruption in the heart of the city centre since a huge regeneration project began in December 2023.

Piles of rubble, noisy construction works and unsightly tarmac patches have become a regular source of frustration on Northumberland Street. But officials believe the end of the delayed transformation is now in sight.

Works at the southern end of Northumberland Street are now virtually complete, with the installation of new paving and benches done in time for Fenwick’s annual festive window reveal.

The central section of the high street, however, will remain mostly cordoned off as the repaving continues through the Christmas period.

Trees and rain gardens are expected to be installed in the new year, while a final stage of works scheduled for April will involve the erection of huge lighting pillars designed to represent the poles which mark the way across to Holy Island.

The redesign of the street has been inspired by Northumberland Street’s history as part of the ancient route to Lindisfarne, with the pattern of the newly-laid paving stones inspired by the Lindisfarne Gospels tapestry.

It had originally been hoped that the overhaul of Northumberland Street, paid for via a grant from the Levelling Up fund which is also being used on the refurbishment of the Grainger Market, would have been completed by summer 2025.

But the completion date was pushed back amid complications blamed on the complex patchwork of utilities found beneath the street.

A spokesperson for Newcastle City Council said: “As we approach the Christmas period, the south end of the street, including the busy area outside of Fenwick, is now fully open.

“New seating is available for use and while there are a few temporary tarmac patches, these mark the locations for new trees, Pilgrim Poles and lighting columns which will be installed later in the programme.

“Work will continue in the central section of the street, from Eldon Square to Northumberland Road, and at the north end of the street, throughout December. Importantly, the footpaths in front of shops will remain clear, ensuring that businesses can trade as usual during the busy Christmas period.

“Multiple crossing points will be in place to help people move easily around the street and barriers will be removed as works progress.

“January and February will see the planting of the rain gardens and the trees. All the paving will be completed by March, with Pilgrim Poles and lighting columns installed in April, marking the final stages of the works.

“The transformation of Northumberland Street has been a once in a generation opportunity to bring the heart back to our city’s main high street and the first time in decades that the depths of the historic street have been upgraded. While the project has brought its share of challenges, the results speak for themselves.

“As the final touches are added, it’s clear that Northumberland Street is being transformed into a vibrant, welcoming space that will serve the city proudly for generations to come.”