New red route to improve safety outside airport

New parking restrictions will be in place on roads outside Newcastle Airport from this month.
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Newcastle Civic Centre, viewed from across Ceremonial Way, on a sunny day

New measures to improve safety by preventing inconsiderate and dangerous parking on roads near Newcastle Airport are being introduced.

It follows concerns being raised regarding vehicles stopping on roads and residential streets close to the airport while waiting to drop off and pick up travellers.

Following a consultation with the airport, neighbouring local authority and nearby residents, Newcastle City Council is going ahead with plans for double red lines from the A696 roundabout next to the airport along the B6918 and Callerton Lane.

Vehicles are not permitted to stop on roads covered by the ‘red route’ and drivers are encouraged to use the parking and free waiting facilities provided at the airport.

Cllr Marion Williams, Cabinet Member for a Sustainable City at Newcastle City Council, said: “We’ve had a number of safety concerns raised in relation to vehicles parking up on residential streets and roads close to the airport runway while dropping people off or picking them up.

“For residents this has meant putting up with noise and disturbance from vehicles stopping outside their homes to load and unload at all hours of day and night and often with engines left running.

“While there are double yellow lines in place on these roads they are quite often disregarded and therefore, following consultation, we have decided to put tougher measures in place to reduce the risk of incidents caused by illegal, inconsiderate and dangerous parking.”

Newcastle Airport provides free 15-minute parking for dropping off and picking up passengers in its Short Stay 2 car park as well as a dedicated waiting area for taxis at Callerton Parkway.

The red route will be marked with double red lines at the side of the road and vehicles will be prohibited from stopping along the route to ensure traffic can flow freely and without obstruction, reducing the risk of incidents caused by dangerous parking. 

Enforcement will be covered by the static cameras, mobile cameras and Civil Enforcement Officers (CEO) and drivers found to have breached the restriction will receive a penalty charge notice for £70, or £35 if paid within 21 days.

Work to begin the installation of the red lines will begin from October 1 and the restriction will be in place and enforceable from October 21.