Narrowgate pedestrianisation survey results 'inconclusive', Alnwick councillors told

Narrowgate has been closed to traffic since the end of July as part of a trial to test how the road network around the town centre would cope, with cameras installed to monitor traffic movements.

Two separate surveys were also issued by Northumberland County Council in October, one for traders in the town centre and another for residents or visitors.

Alnwick Town Council projects officer Tim Kirton, providing a report from a recent Alnwick Forum meeting, said: “We had hoped that Richard McKenzie and Martin Podevyn from the county council would be able to to update us on the pedestrianisation survey but unfortunately neither of them could attend.

“However, we were told that the most recent Narrowgate pedestrianisation survey had been enunciated but the results are inconclusive so further work needs to be undertaken and we hope to hear more about this at the next Forum meeting in February.”

Concerns about the impact of the 12-month trial scheme have previously been raised by Alnwick Chamber of Trade, although several Narrowgate businesses have seen an upturn in trade and welcomed the more pleasant shopping environment.

The pedestrianisation trial was implemented after a survey of businesses was carried out in May, which showed two thirds of the businesses on Bondgate Within and Narrowgate supported some changes to the street environment, with pedestrianisation being the most favoured option.

A reduction in traffic speeds, a change to the road surface or a one-way system were also popular options. This followed a public consultation in November 2018 that revealed that 67% of respondents favoured a pedestrianised street.

Meanwhile, Mr Kirton reported that the county council is ‘exploring an opportunity’ for the future re-use of the Lindisfarne sports hall.

He also reported that Gallery Youth is leading and arranging a survey of need for community-led housing in the town with a view to pulling together a housing project. The Alnwick Forum has expressed unanimous support for a community-led housing project in the town, as has the town council.