Preparatory work has started on #Newcastle’s Northumberland Street ahead of its major public realm improvement works.

The first stretch of new paving on Northumberland Street.

Now Northumberland Street’s outer sections of paving are mostly done, work has moved to the centre which will feature a pattern inspired by the Lindisfarne Gospels tapestry which is closely linked to the street’s past. The Haymarket end will be first for rain gardens & seating.

A couple of shots from the southern end of Northumberland Street, taken earlier this morning.

First new planter installed on Northumberland St - Haymarket.

Now visible, the pattern which will run up the centre of Northumberland St’s new paving, “inspired by the Lindisfarne Gospels, a historical & cultural touchstone for the area”. Tree pits & drainage for the water gardens now installed following the rerouting of electrics/utilities

The new planter by Haymarket Station has been planted up.

The pattern of new paving up the centre of Northumberland Street is now taking shape up at the Haymarket end too, along with another planter & seating.

Paving to the southern end of Northumberland Street has been completed ahead of the popular Fenwick Christmas Window reveal. A few squares of tarmac remain where the new Pilgrim Path lighting columns will sit + trees to be planted in the NY so they’ve a better chance of survival.

Installation of planters and seating is really coming along now on Northumberland Street, outside Haymarket Station.

New trees continue to arrive and be planted on Northumberland Street. 👍

The first of the ‘Pilgrim Pole’ lighting columns has been completed on Northumberland Street, with a second currently having its outer panels fitted.

You know I don't normally do negativity, but I'll be amazed if these - and the paving - are not being dug up again in a decade's time. Compared to the quality of new public realm I have seen in places like Eastbourne and Sheffield recently, this is all so disappointing.

The tiling and even just the choice of tiles for Northumberland street has been poor. It’s clearly tried to be done on the cheap! The public realm works outside of York Station is far nicer with the large paving slabs of York Stone. Why we went for tiny little tiles is beyond me