Been looking at the recently-published annual report by Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health in Newcastle (and Gateshead), titled (and focused) on "It takes a city to raise a child". Lots to think about, including from the perspective of play & mobility. new.newcastle.gov.uk/budget-polic... - ThreadSky

alisonstenning.bsky.social • 21 days ago

Been looking at the recently-published annual report by Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health in Newcastle (and Gateshead), titled (and focused) on "It takes a city to raise a child".

Lots to think about, including from the perspective of play & mobility.

https://new.newcastle.gov.uk/budget-policies-performance-data/policies/health/newcastle-director-public-health-annual-reports/director-public-health-annual-report-2024-2025

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alisonstenning.bsky.social•21 days ago

Two lovely child-created YouTube films on that page:
https://youtu.be/HgvjaIgT8LI?si=1A5Lx_n1fDEyP4n2

alisonstenning.bsky.social•21 days ago

And: https://youtu.be/Or6S9uy0_dw?si=RnuFnBsY5t_QPxLj

mikecookson.bsky.social•21 days ago

I hope the Mayor takes this feedback seriously.

There are no Play Streets Schemes running in Newcastle and ripping out LTNs hasn't helped playing out.

And when the Mayor franchises buses, I hope the routes take into account more than just commuter journeys.

alisonstenning.bsky.social•21 days ago

These were exactly the bits that leapt out at me!

salawatson.bsky.social•21 days ago

There is no policy that supports street play or children’s travel in Newcastle currently. There was around 4 or 5 years ago, but they abandoned this around the same time that they removed the LTNs and scrapped future plans for school streets.

singleaspect.bsky.social•21 days ago

Even Jesmond?

space4gosforth.bsky.social•20 days ago

When we did have a play streets plan it was impractical as you had to book it weeks in advance. At least 1 Gosforth 1st wanted a school at & was supported by ward councillors- but the scheme was scrapped. The LTNs really helped - but the Council couldn’t refute spurious arguments like this.

alistaircford.bsky.social•20 days ago

The bus point is interesting. I'd like to know more about why young people don't feel buses work for them. The £1 fare is pretty transformational but I guess bus routes designed around commuting for adults don't serve journeys that children want to make, and safety issues remain.

gnomeicide.bsky.social•20 days ago

Being Gateshead (a town) raised, my first, instinctive response to "It takes a city..." as a title is rather more hostile than I can politely post. Also - don't put Gateshead in brackets please.

gnomeicide.bsky.social•20 days ago

...but skimming that, I think I need to look in more depth. A lot to consider in it!

alisonstenning.bsky.social•20 days ago

It’s the annual report for Newcastle, not Newcastle and Gateshead, even though Alice Wiseman is PH Director for both. That’s why I phrased it as I did, and presumably also explains the “city” bit.

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