Motorists risk £70 fine within weeks as council launches cameras to target illegal practices

Drivers across Newcastle have been warned they will soon face a £70 fine for road offences as part of new plans to tackle years of complaints about "rat-running".

Newcastle City Council has confirmed that cameras will begin monitoring the junction of Christon Road and Hyde Terrace in Gosforth from July 1.

The move comes after residents repeatedly raised concerns about motorists using Hyde Terrace as an illegal shortcut to avoid traffic lights and congestion on nearby routes.

Under the new enforcement scheme, drivers caught breaking the no-entry sign rules will initially receive a warning letter.

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However, anyone caught a second time during the six-month warning period will face a £70 Penalty Charge Notice, although this can be reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days.

Once the six-month grace period ends, all motorists caught breaching the restriction will automatically receive a financial penalty.

The council first consulted residents, businesses and other stakeholders on the proposal in 2025 after receiving complaints stretching back more than a decade.

Consultation documents revealed that officials had received "numerous complaints" over the past 10 years regarding the use of Hyde Terrace as a through route.

The council also warned that concerns had been raised by its Community Safety team about traffic levels at the junction.

According to consultation papers, Northumbria Police were aware of the problem and had stationed officers at the location to monitor motorists ignoring the restriction.

Police also advised businesses on a nearby industrial estate that Hyde Terrace should not be used by through traffic seeking to avoid more congested routes.

Council documents stated: "This issue is clearly a cause of concern and has led to increasing levels of unnecessary traffic on Hyde Terrace, which is a quiet residential street."

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The authority carried out traffic surveys to measure how many drivers were ignoring the no-entry signs before deciding whether camera enforcement should be introduced.

Following the consultation last year, the council confirmed it would proceed with enforcement "in order to reduce the number of vehicles utilising this illegal access and rat-running through this residential street".

Pamela Holmes, Assistant Director of Transport at Newcastle City Council, said: "Hyde Terrace is a quiet residential street and is not designed to carry large amounts of through traffic.

"The no-entry restriction is there to help keep the street safe for residents by preventing it from being used as a shortcut."

Despite the existing signs, council officials said many motorists continued to ignore the restriction, which prompted tougher action.

"We hope that the introduction of camera enforcement at this location will help to deter drivers from making this illegal turn into Hyde Terrace from Christon Road," Ms Holmes added.

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