Posted on Tuesday 23rd September 2025
Barracks Road Newcastle
A scheme to provide new cycleways and footways in Newcastle town centre – providing continuity from existing routes and link to Keele University and Stoke-on-Trent railway station – has been completed ahead of schedule.
It completes the route from the A52 George Street into the town centre on Hassell Street and the A527 Barracks Road around the junction of the two roads. The new facilities aim to encourage more cycling and walking, supporting healthier lifestyles and reducing town centre traffic. All traffic management was removed on 8 September, ten days ahead of schedule, with the last new signs installed last week.
The scheme has included new cycle markings on Hassell Street and a new widened shared use footway at the Hassell Street/Barracks Road junction.
The crossing on Barracks Road has been upgraded and the central reservation widened. A widened shared use footway has been installed on the west side of Barracks Road between the crossing and Castle House. Traffic signals on the main road were refurbished with areas of the main road also resurfaced.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council secured UK Government funding for the scheme, which was carried out by the county council.
Future active travel projects include extending the Greenway from the A34, along Station Walks to George Street and improved cycling and walking connectivity through the town centre.
Peter Mason, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for strategic highways, said:
We’re pleased to have completed this scheme and ten days ahead of schedule. This is a busy central road and so getting work done as soon as possible has been critical.
This scheme provides the town centre cycleway section as part of a continuous link from Stoke-on-Trent railway station to Keele University.
It is part of a joint drive with Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council to improve facilities for cyclists and pedestrians in the town and to encourage healthier lifestyles. It’s demonstration of effective collaborative working to improve communities across the county.
We’d again like to thank people for their patience and understanding while work was carried out.”
Stephen Sweeney, deputy leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and cabinet member for finance, town centres and growth, said:
Millions of pounds are being invested in different ways in Newcastle’s town centre to make it an attractive place for residents of all ages to live, work and enjoy themselves safely.
Developing walking and cycling routes, including those which link to Keele University and Hanley is an integral part of that development as we make the town centre more easily accessible. It’s great to see the scheme completed and in use by our residents.”