iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 20/09/2026

World Car Free Day is coming up on Tuesday 22nd September. Find out what's going on in Newcastle at carfreeday.uk 🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏻🧑🏻‍🦽👨🏻‍🦼👩🏻‍🦯🛴🚲🚌🚇

Car Free Day. Tuesday 22nd September 2026.

074

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 29/08/2026

Over 700 people cycle past this point on a weekday, and many hundreds more will walk past but don't get counted. The only alternative provided is 'walk for an extra 20 minutes'. Not good enough.

A chart showing average daily, weekday, and weekend cycle traffic at the counter on the Cox Lodge Waggonway at the point it will be closed for 7 weeks.

0128

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 13/08/2026

🏗️ For years, while constructions was taking place, hoardings around the site showed what the public realm was going to be like. 🗓️ For years nothing has changed. 🤔 Now there's been a change of control at the Council will we get the improvements the city deserves?

A photo of an image of hoardings around a building site showing what Blackett St and Pilgrim Street could look like once work was finished.

A photo of an image of hoardings around a building site showing what New Bridge Street could look like once work was finished.

A CCTV image of Blackett St and Pilgrim Street. The road remains as it was before the building work started.

A CCTV image of Blackett St. The road remains as it was before the building work started.

162

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 29/07/2026

Thoughtfully, whoever parked the other two untaxed cars next to it has left just enough room to get through the other side of the filter.

A photo showing two parked cars. Next to the cars is a screen shot from the DVLA website showing each has no MOT or tax. One car has tape over half the number plate to prevent it being read automatically, but they have forgotten to do the same to the front plate.

140

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 29/07/2026

✅ Anybody who cycles through Heaton will be pleased to see the cycle symbols highlighting the cycle route through the modal filter on Spencer Street have been repainted. ❌This one is a little further forward than previously as the untaxed car still blocking the filter is over the original marking.

A photo of a road. There is a white painted cycle symbol on the road. Directly behind the symbol, and blocking any route past on a cycle is a parked car with its front number plate missing. Behind that are some trees on a modal filter.

2122

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 10/07/2026

Moving scenes outside the cathedral this morning for the funeral for PC Jess Turnbull. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

010

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 07/07/2026

Today the North East Mayor has launched a consultation on the future of buses. Our friends at northeastptug.bsky.social have put together a leaflet about what this means 👇🏻 Visit www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/consultation... to share your views.

BUSES THAT WORK FOR PEOPLE
Private bus companies received £3.67 billion in public subsidies in 2024, almost 50% of their income. But we get no say in the fares they charge, where they go, or how often.

Our Mayor wants to CHANGE that and introduce a franchised bus system under public control
- Bus users will have a bigger say in how their bus services are run and which areas they service. Eg, to local estates and rural areas rather than just main roads.
- Regular annual fares, bus times and routes that will not be altered or cut at 6 weeks notice as at present and only changed after consultation with travellers and our Mayor.
- Smart ticketing that could be used across all buses, metros, ferry and some trains, instead of paying a fare on each vehicle.
- A safe service that’s reliable, affordable, accessible and accountable.
- Franchising would support a bus system similar to the one in London, which has the highest ridership in the UK and is easy to use.

A Franchise Agreement for a better bus service for everyone

Support Mayor McGuinness’ plan to introduce franchise agreements for bus services in the North East. This would mean bus services run for people and planet, not solely for private profit. Hold bus companies to a legally binding contract to improve public transport, both urban and rural, across the region.

Contact details
Web: neptug.org.uk
Email: admin@neptug.org.uk
Facebook: NEPTUG

111

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 06/07/2026

You'll probably be safe of some streets in Heaton as drivers have kindly taken measures to stop the robots from getting along the pavement. Let your local councillors know you'd like pavements to be kept safe from vehicles, whether they are driven by people or not.

A photograph of a car parked at an angle across a pavement and blocking a dropped kerb. There is a sign saying the street is a play street from 8am until sunset.

030

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 05/07/2026

As soon as the barriers are removed the illegal drivers return.

A CCTV image of a section of Blackett Street. A No Motor vehicles sigh has been circled in red. There is a van collecting barriers that were previously on the street and 6 cars that shouldn't be there.

021

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 05/07/2026

Thanks to the Great North 10k run earlier today, we got a glimpse of what Blackett Street could be like when it's full of people and not cars.

382

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 09/06/2026

Scotswood Road efficiently moving lots of people tonight.

A CCTV image of a dual carriageway. One side is filled with runners, stretching off in to the distance. The other side is empty.

0143

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 09/06/2026

As it's the 9th June we've added some extra cameras to our website so you can see if there's anybody going along the Scotswood Road to Blaydon this evening. 7:15pm would be a good time to check. View them at sensors.spaceforheaton.com/cameras

A map with four place markers indicating locations on Scotswood Road in Newcastle.

142

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 15/05/2026

It's clear what the cause of air pollution on the Coast Road and Stephenson Road is. A barrier alongside a pavement isn't going to solve the problem. Air pollution has been greatly reduced in London through strong leadership addressing issues sensibly. We need the same to happen in Newcastle.

A cctv image of three lanes of queuing vehicles, mainly cars, on the westbound Coast Road in Newcastle. The view is looking east from Chillingham Road

A cctv image of three lanes of queuing vehicles, mainly cars but with one bus, on the westbound Coast Road in Newcastle. The view is looking west from Chillingham Road. There is also a pedestrian on a bridge above the traffic.

22111

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 30/04/2026

Ask the candidates standing in Heaton what has happened to the Coast Road bus lane proposals and what they propose to do about the delays experienced bus passengers.

A 4 square grid. Top left reads 'Private buses on the Coast Road'. Top right shows a bus stuck in traffic on a 4 lane road.
Bottom left reads 'Franchise buses on the Coast Road'. Bottom right has the same image of a bus stuck in traffic as above.

052

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 24/04/2026

If you fancy a trip to the coast on Sunday Kidical Mass North Tyneside have their event on, starting from North Shields at 2pm. Full details at: m.facebook.com/events/14227...

Kidical mass North Tyneside
Sunday 26th April

Meet at Northumberland Park, King Edward Road, North Shields or Churchill Playing Fields, Monkseaton at 2pm
Finishing point is Cullercoats.

000

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 20/04/2026

Pavement parking is a big problem in Heaton. Add your support to get something done about it. Details below 👇🏻

A photo of a tipper lorry parked on a pavement.

151

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 05/03/2026

The pleasant spring weather this week is very welcome, unless you want clean air to breathe near busy roads.

The image is a chart of nitrogen dioxide on specific dates, with the values in micrograms per metre cubed. The data is as follows.
26-02-2026: 24.21.
27-02-2026: 31.18.
28-02-2026: 32.94.
01-03-2026: 29.06.
02-03-2026: 26.37.
03-03-2026: 40.99.
04-03-2026: 40.22.

010

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 29/01/2026

This street passes a school with over 2000 students and prioritises vehicles. People are hemmed in to narrow pavements which are blocked by bus shelters, side roads have fast, sweeping entrances, crossing points have tiny islands, and the cycle lane is narrow, painted and has a rough surface.

A Streetview image of Newton Road outside the school. A bus shelter occupies half a narrow pavement. There's a painted cycle lane with some surface defects that stops when it reaches the school, a traffic island, a wide right turn box for cars and a side street with large radius corners.

3188

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 27/01/2026

This type of vehicle is regularly causing problems on Heaton's streets and there's no sign on anything being done to tackle it. The first image shows pavement that has been broken by vehicles replaced with concrete to better support them parking on the pavement.

Rothbury Terrace with vans parked on the pavement.

A Ford Raptor - a high performance version of the Ford Ranger - parked on the pavement on Hartford Street.

A pickup truck blocking the pavement on Warwick Street.

030

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 03/01/2026

When there's snow on the ground it's clear to see how often people drive on the pavement.

A photo of a pavement covered in snow with clear car tyre tracks on it.

2279

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 22/12/2025

Long queues of people are starting to form on roads towards carparks in town. Meanwhile, the main park and ride Metro stations are not even half full. Pavements and cycle lanes all flowing freely.

A CCTV image of traffic queues heading towards city centre car parks

A graphic showing car park utilisation. Most car parks at Metro stations are under half full.

020

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 09/12/2025

Buses in Heaton are not where they should be due to a fire on Chillingham Road this evening. You can find where yours is at sensors.spaceforheaton.com/bustracker

A map of Heaton showing a number of buses not on their usual route.

A CCTV image of Chillingham Road showing fire engines and an arial platform.

021

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 09/12/2025

The Go North East Santa Bus has started it's journey through Newcastle and North Tyneside. Follow S09 on our tracker to see its progress sensors.spaceforheaton.com/bustracker The full route can be found at www.gonortheast.co.uk/services/GNE...

A map showing bus S09 about to start its journey.

020

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 11/11/2025

Work was done to the signals at Benfield Rd and Cradlewell recently, but if there's a mile long queue of cars between the bus and the signals they aren't going to make a lot of difference.

A CCTV image showing two buses held up by many cars on the Coast Road in Newcastle

110

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 05/11/2025

As darkness fell and November 5th traditions got going the air quality across the city is has become drastically worse, as this chart from a sensor at the RVI shows. The can see the latest readings at sensors.spaceforheaton.com/sensors

A chart showing levels of PM2.5. For most of the day the readings were 15µgm³ or lower. IN the early evening readings have increased to 80µgm³

010

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 19/10/2025

SPACE for Fenham and Arthur's Hill have organised a Glow ride as part of Cycling UK's "My ride on Wednesday. Our right" campaign calling for safer streets, especially for women riding after dark. Meet at the Civic Centre for 18:30. Full details: m.facebook.com/events/13823...

012

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 11/10/2025

In 2024 the trial scheme was cancelled and the modal filters were removed. Now the data from the traffic counter has been updated it's possible to see what effect removing the filters had. Traffic was higher every week for comparable weeks by ~500 vehicles per day. 2/3

A chart showing the percentage change in traffic from when the LTN was in place to the same period after it was removed. Almost all bars show a positive value, indicating a rise in traffic.

130

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 11/10/2025

In October 2022 modal filters were installed on streets in Heaton as part of a trial. Thanks to a permanent traffic counter it was possible to see what effect that had on one of the boundary roads. Traffic was down every week, by ~500 vehicles per day. Then the filters were removed... 1/3

A chart showing the percentage change in traffic from before to after implementation of the LTN. All bars except two show a negative change, indicating a drop in traffic.

152

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 11/09/2025

It's clear what the problem is on the Coast Road in Newcastle, where buses are frequently delayed by drivers. Will the Movement Strategy that is due to be discussed by Cabinet next week address this, or will the problem be left for the future again?

Three buses held up in traffic on the Coast Road in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne.

010

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 07/09/2025

Although air quality on the bridge was getting worse yesterday, the absence of vehicles for a few hours today saw things improve so the runners got cleaner air to breathe on their journey to the coast.

The image is a chart of nitrogen dioxide on specific dates, with the values in micrograms per metre cubed. The data is as follows.
31-08-2025: 14.35.
01-09-2025: 16.18.
02-09-2025: 25.25.
03-09-2025: 22.53.
04-09-2025: 21.35.
05-09-2025: 25.32.
06-09-2025: 33.53.

The image is a line chart of air pollution on the Tyne Bridge. There is a noticeable dip when the Great North Run is taking place and people replace vehicles.

000

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 07/09/2025

It's been a busy day on the Tyne Bridge as it sees it's most efficient use of the year, with 60,000 people crossing in around two hours and road works to clear and reinstate to give the runners extra space.

120

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 18/08/2025

Somebody has fenced off the main cycle route from Heaton to the city centre, with no warning and no diversion. It's possible to get though via the bin area of Shieldfield House then through a private car park back to the road. Councillors are aware and are try to sort it.

261

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 14/08/2025

The first day of the Central Motorway being down to one lane northbound has so far seen journey times the same as they were before work on the Tyne Bridge started.

The image is a chart of journey time on the Central Motorway before work started on the Tyne bridge and today. The two live track each other closely.

001

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 13/08/2025

This images shows all the Stagecoach buses in Newcastle right now, carrying people to work and on other journeys, many of whom will have no other transport options. sensors.spaceforheaton.com/bustracker

The image shows a maps of Newcastle upon Tyne with many buses shown in their current locations.

022

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 22/07/2025

While road traffic increased by 5% last year, the number of people arriving into Newcastle by train decreased. www.gov.uk/government/s...

A chart showing Percentage change in average daily arrivals into major cities in England and Wales (excluding London) on a typical day between autumn 2023 and autumn 2024.
The value for Newcastle is -11.3%

020

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 17/07/2025

You'll be able to see how long it will take to drive along the Central Motorway when works starts using the queue tracker on our website. sensors.spaceforheaton.com/tynebridge

The image is a chart showing two lines. One, in black, shows journey times before work on the Tyne Bridge started. The other, in orange, show the current journey time and is often above the black line.

020

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 15/07/2025

A new report from @ippr.org highlights that waiting for EVs to solve air quality problems on the Coast Road is likely to lead to bigger queues and leave people on the lowest income suffering even bigger delays on buses. Read the full report at www.ippr.org/articles/the...

The image is a quote from the report reading "The Climate Change Committee forecasts that electrification of cars and the associated reduction in running costs will lead to up to a 51 per cent increase
in traffic in England and Wales by 2050, and up to 10 million more cars on the road (CCC 2025a). "

The image is a chart from the linked report which shows over 40% of households on the lowest income quintile don't have access to a car.

031

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 14/07/2025

A few minutes of heavy rain has resulted in the Coast Road flooding again at the Chillingham Rd junction, with floods on the main east bound carriageway and off and on slips.

A CCTV picture of the Coast Road in Newcastle suffering from flooding.

A CCTV image showing a flood on a slip road on to the Coast Road

030

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 01/07/2025

There's going to be a by-election in South Jesmond ward soon. If you get to speak to any of the candidates you could ask them what they plan to do about the local air quality, which is currently not going to meet legal limits for another 20 years.

The image is a chart of nitrogen dioxide on specific dates, with the values in micrograms per metre cubed. The data is as follows.
23-06-2025: 16.91.
24-06-2025: 38.68.
25-06-2025: 41.61.
26-06-2025: 37.28.
27-06-2025: 35.32.
28-06-2025: 26.89.
29-06-2025: 38.07.

012

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 26/06/2025

Our friends at @space4gosforth.bsky.social have been highlighting the lack of progress tackling Coast Road air pollution and the Government's expectation that legal limits will not be met for another 20 years.

The image is a chart of nitrogen dioxide on specific dates, with the values in micrograms per metre cubed. The data is as follows.
19-06-2025: 27.78.
20-06-2025: 36.08.
21-06-2025: 43.91.
22-06-2025: 11.9.
23-06-2025: 16.91.
24-06-2025: 38.68.
25-06-2025: 41.61.

The image is a chart of nitrogen dioxide on specific dates, with the values in micrograms per metre cubed. The data is as follows.
19-06-2025: 20.33.
20-06-2025: 41.65.
21-06-2025: 46.05.
22-06-2025: 14.91.
23-06-2025: 16.01.
24-06-2025: 23.12.
25-06-2025: 27.51.

A CCTV still showing two lanes of cars queuing westbound towards the Corner House junction on the Coast Road in Newcastle.

111

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 21/06/2025

"Put simply, there is no safe level of air pollution, and increasingly ambitious action needs to be taken to improve air quality" A report for the politicians responsible for the Coast Road, which is seeing a spike in poor air quality to add to the health issues around excessive heat today. 👇🏻

The image is a chart of nitrogen dioxide on specific dates, with the values in micrograms per metre cubed. The data is as follows.
14-06-2025: 18.37.
15-06-2025: 11.71.
16-06-2025: 25.17.
17-06-2025: 22.65.
18-06-2025: 14.55.
19-06-2025: 20.33.
20-06-2025: 41.65.

022

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 20/06/2025

It's warming up on Chillingham Road today. You can check the temperature from sensors around the area along side the air quality on our website at sensors.spaceforheaton.com/sensors

The image shows a temperature gauge reading 30.1°C and a 24 chart rising to the same level over the course of the morning.

020

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 12/06/2025

Across the country the annual increase in traffic in 2024 was 1.6% In Newcastle the increase was 5% and the regional area 2% compared to 2023. Across Great Britain traffic was still slightly below the 2019 peak, but in Newcastle traffic is 2% up on 2019 (interestingly Gateshead is 4% down).

A chart showing vehicle miles travelled in Great Britain, 2014 to 2024 with the percentage change between each year.

132

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 12/06/2025

In 2024 the number of vehicle miles driven in Newcastle was 1.1 billion, an increase of 54 million compared to 2023. For the North East Combined Authority area the increase was 165 million to a total of 9.6 billion.

A chart showing vehicle miles travelled for the North East Combined Authority Area 2014 - 2025

Data
Year Million Vehicle Miles
2014 8520.9
2015 8633.7
2016 8767.1
2017 8952.6
2018 9118.1
2019 9453.6
2020 7493.5
2021 8334.5
2022 9140.2
2023 9424.9
2024 9590

156

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 12/06/2025

Some road resurfacing will take place in Heaton over the next few weeks. If you are cycling or using the bus you may be affected. Alexandra Rd will be day time closures, Chillingham Road will be 7pm-1:30am closures.

A Mao showing Alexandra Road will be closed From Chillingham Road to Heaton Road.

A map sowing Chillingham Road will be closed between Shields Rd and Third Avenue on 1st-3rd July.

010

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 12/06/2025

Air pollution has been rising along the Coast Road this week. Check out our sensor page to see the latest values: sensors.spaceforheaton.com/sensors

A screen capture of a series of gauges above small line charts showing readings for NO2, PM2.5 and PM10. All three line charts show a rise from around 6:30am

A CCTV image of two lanes of queuing traffic on the Coast Road heading towards Newcastle.

000

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 09/06/2025

Lots of runners have passed along the Quayside on their way to Blaydon tonight. If you're looking for the bus from Balmbras, you might find it on our bus tracker at sensors.spaceforheaton.com/bustracker

A CCTV image of runner in the Blaydon Race on Newcastle Quayside

040

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 29/05/2025

Provisional figures released today show that 413 pedestrians were killed on Great Britain's roads in 2024. See all the stats at www.gov.uk/government/s...

A chart showing fatalities by road user type. Values for 2024 are:
Road User Type 2024
Car occupants 710
Pedestrians 413
Motorcyclists 343
Pedal cyclists 85

021

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 15/05/2025

Given the travel times yesterday the Metro, cycling or walking would definitely be quicker than driving.

A chart showing journey times for vehicles between Broadway and Moorfield via the Great North Road.

020

SPACE for Heaton @spaceforheaton.com · 02/05/2025

Levels on NO2, a contributor to poor air quality, have been above WHO recommended levels every day for the past week on the Coast Road. The cause is clear, but what's being done about it?

The image is a chart of nitrogen dioxide on specific dates, with the values in micrograms per metre cubed. The data is as follows.
25-04-2025: 32.52.
26-04-2025: 32.38.
27-04-2025: 24.96.
28-04-2025: 27.84.
29-04-2025: 33.89.
30-04-2025: 42.
01-05-2025: 34.42.

A CCTV image of two lanes of queuing traffic on the Coast Road, with a solitary bus approaching Chillingham Road junction.

020