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This is the man charged with helping to fix Newcastle’s transport woes.

Councillor Simon Bird has been handed the Cabinet position for Transport and Air Quality and will lead on the delivery of major transport schemes, local highways improvements, promoting cycling and improving air quality.

Major schemes under his influence include Haddricks Mill Junction, the Blue House Roundabout and city centre bus lane cameras.

Coun Bird said: “It’s an exciting and challenging new portfolio pulling together transport and air quality.

“We are preparing the city for an ambitious future with population growth, new homes, jobs being created and a vibrant city, despite central government cuts. This is a time of big investment in transport in Newcastle to get people moving in an efficient, smooth and environmentally friendly way.

“That means reducing congestion, improve air quality and have a modern city where we have the choice to use public transport, cycling and walking as a safe, green viable alternatives to the car for short journeys.”

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Last year Newcastle City Council was forced to go back to the drawing board with its plans for the Blue House Roundabout following a massive public outcry.

Original proposals were abandoned after around 2,000 people attended a protest rally in August against the plans, which critics described as “overkill”.

The council maintains it is determined to improve the Gosforth site, which they say is one of the city’s worst accident blackspots.

An independent working group with more than 20 stakeholders, including fierce opponents of the original design, is working on fresh plans.

Campaigners had called for plans for the Haddricks Mill junction to be scrapped when they were revealed last year, with critics claiming the blueprints did not cater for cyclists.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

After a public consultation, plans for the junction are being finalised and could be announced over the summer.

And bus lane cameras around the city centre have proven controversial with motorists and it later emerged the cameras on John Dobson Street are the most lucrative in the country.

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Keen cyclist Coun Bird, who represents the Denton ward , added: “The greener we become in our use of transport, the fresher the air our kids can breath.

“There will be challenges ahead, and tough decisions to make, but we hope to prepare Newcastle for a healthy future with our initiatives.”

Other changes to the Cabinet include Coun Nora Casey being handed responsibility for Children and Young People, replacing Joanne Kingsland in a phased handover of Children’s Services.

Coun Stephen Powers, who was Cabinet Member for Policy and Communication will step down from the Cabinet as his portfolio will cease to exist in its present form.

Newcastle City Council said all changes are cost neutral.

Leader of Newcastle City Council, Coun Nick Forbes, said: “I would like to thank Stephen and Joanne for all their hard work, and to welcome Simon and Nora to the Cabinet. I look forward to working with them.”