Transport in Newcastle

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    Whether you’re walking, riding a bike, driving a car, or using public transport, Newcastle offers lots of ways for you get around safely and easily. There are safe bike lanes, places to park your car, and paths for walking and scooting. Newcastle is also working hard to make travel better for the planet by using more green and sustainable transport options.

    Active Travel: Walking, Wheeling, and More

    Active travel means getting around by walking, cycling, or using mobility aids like wheelchairs or scooters. Newcastle supports this with:

    • Traffic-Free Paths: These are routes where cars are not allowed, making them safer for walking and cycling.
    • Safe Crossings: Zebra crossings, pedestrian lights, and raised junctions help people cross roads safely.
    • Benches and Rest Points: These are placed along popular walking routes to help people take breaks.
    • Good Lighting and Signage: Helps people feel safe and find their way easily

    Read more on InformationNOW about Walking, running and health

    Accessible Parking and Blue Badge Spaces

    If you have a disability and hold a Blue Badge, Newcastle provides several parking options to make your journey easier.

    Where You Can Park with a Blue Badge:

    • Disabled Bays: These are clearly marked and located across the city, including near shops, hospitals, and public buildings.
    • Pay and Display Bays: You can park for free in these bays, but you must display your Blue Badge.
    • Single and Double Yellow Lines: You can park for up to 3 hours if there are no loading restrictions. You must display your badge and set the clock.
    • Residential Permit Areas: You can park without a time limit.
    • Limited Stay Bays: No time limit applies for Blue Badge holders

    Where You Cannot Park:

    • Car Club Bays
    • Loading Bays (unless actively loading)
    • Electric Vehicle Charging Bays (unless charging an EV)
    • Taxi Ranks and Bus Stops
    • Cycle Tracks and Clearways
    • Suspended Bays or Permit-Only Areas not designated for Blue Badge holders

    Always check local signs and restrictions, as rules can vary slightly depending on the area.

    Shopmobility Scheme:

    Newcastle also offers a Shopmobility service, which provides scooters and wheelchairs for people with mobility issues. This service is available in the city centre and can be a great help for shopping trips or appointments

    Read more about the Blue Badge Scheme on InformationNOW

    Read more about Shopmobility on InformationNOW

    Car parking in Newcastle

    Newcastle City Council operates over 60 car parks, including multi-storey and surface-level options. Some of these offer free parking during evenings or weekends. You can also find free on-street parking in certain areas after 6:30 pm and on Sundays on streets like Blandford Square and Carliol Square. Below is a list of car parks in Newcastle:

    City Centre
    East
    Inner West
    North
    Outer West

    If you’re visiting hospitals or universities, check ahead—some offer discounted parking for patients, visitors, or staff.

    You can find out more about Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust‘s parking options on their website here and parking concessions on their website here

    You can find out more about Newcastle University parking options on their website 

    You can find out more about Northumbria University parking options on their website

    Paying for parking:

    All council car parks in Newcastle offer pay by phone as an easier way to pay. You can pay using a credit or debit card

    You can read the PayByPhone guide to paying for parking here

    Cycle Lanes and Bike Parking

    Newcastle is working hard to become a more cycle-friendly city. There are now dedicated cycle lanes and protected cycle tracks across many parts of the city.

    Types of Cycle Infrastructure:

    • Protected Cycle Tracks: These are separated from car traffic and are safer for cyclists of all ages.
    • Cycle Lanes on Roads: Marked lanes on the road, often painted green or white.
    • Shared Use Paths: Some pavements are shared between pedestrians and cyclists, though these are being phased out in favour of safer, separated routes

     Key Cycle Routes in the City:

    • John Dobson Street – a central route with protected lanes
    • St Nicholas Street – improved for safer cycling
    • Acorn Road – upgraded with cycle-friendly features

     National Cycle Network Routes Through Newcastle:

    • Route 72: Coast-to-Coast (Hadrian’s Cycleway) – runs west to east through the city
    • Route 10: Connects Newcastle to Ponteland and Carlisle
    • Route 14: Heads south to Durham and Consett
    • Route 1: A long-distance route from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Hull, passing through Newcastle

    Popular Local Rides:

    • Newcastle to South Gosforth (3 miles)
    • Gosforth Racecourse Loop (6.6 miles)
    • Dene Moor 10k – a scenic ride through green spaces
    • To Silverlink Retail Park – a practical commuter route

    Cycle Parking:

    You’ll find bike racks and secure cycle parking near shopping centres, Metro stations, and public buildings. Some areas also offer covered or CCTV-monitored bike storage.

    You can find a full list of cycle parking near Tyne and Wear Metro stations on Nexus Website here

    Sustainable transport and E-vehicles

    Sustainable transport means using ways to travel that:

    • Reduce pollution
    • Use less energy
    • Help people stay healthy and active
    • Make streets safer and less crowded

    Walking and cycling are sustainable options for shorter journeys, public transport and electric vehicles such as electric cars and E-scooters are sustainable options for longer journeys. Car sharing with someone else or using park and ride schemes where you can park your car and use public transport for the rest of the journey can also help.

    Neuron mobility E-scooters are available in Newcastle

    If you need to charge an electric vehicle Newcastle has electric vehicle charging points at these car parks:

    Read more on InformationNOW about Public transport

    Tips for Getting Around Newcastle

    • Plan Ahead: Use Newcastle City Council’s website or apps like Google Maps to check parking and cycle routes.
    • Look for Signs: Always check local signs for parking rules, especially in residential or restricted areas.
    • Use Park and Ride: If you’re coming from outside the city, park at a Park and Ride site and take public transport into the centre.
    • Stay Updated: Newcastle is constantly improving its transport network. Keep an eye on council updates for new cycle lanes or parking changes.

    Resources

    Go Smarter Go Active have interactive Cycling and Walking Maps for the North East on their website 

    North East Combined Authority has a North East Active Travel Strategy. The ideas in the strategy aim for half of all shorter journeys to be made using active travel.

    North East Combined Authority has a North East Local Transport Plan. The plan focuses on five key areas:

    • Helping people plan their journeys
    • Making tickets cheaper and easier to use
    • Building stronger transport systems
    • Making travel safer, especially for women and girls
    • Connecting buses, trains, and other transport better

    Newcastle City Council is developing a movement strategy for Newcastle upon Tyne. The Strategy will guide how we develop our transport until 2045 and will be part of the North East Active Travel Strategy.

    Last updated: July 9, 2025