Newly installed traffic lights on Wagonway Drive, providing a future controlled pedestrian crossing near Brunton Lane
New traffic lights and pedestrian crossing infrastructure have been installed on Wagonway Drive at Newcastle Great Park, potentially providing a safer walking route to Morrisons and the town centre for existing residents and those moving into a nearby development of 155 new homes.
The new crossing, photographed on Sunday 18 October 2026, is located on Wagonway Drive near its junction with Brunton Lane, close to the former Sage headquarters.
The installation includes traffic signals on both sides of the road, newly laid tactile paving and improved pedestrian crossing points.
For residents living on the opposite side of Wagonway Drive from Great Park Town Centre, the crossing could provide a welcome improvement when walking to Morrisons, the pharmacy, cafés, restaurants and other local facilities.
Its location is also particularly interesting following Newcastle City Council's recent decision to support plans for another 155 homes on land north of Brunton Lane, with pedestrian access and transport improvements included in the planning requirements.
While the new traffic lights have been installed, it has not yet been confirmed when they will become fully operational or whether they are directly connected to the nearby housing development.
Where are the new traffic lights?
The crossing is located on Wagonway Drive, near Brunton Lane, with the former Sage headquarters visible in the background.
The precise location has been identified using what3words as [///dared.liked.spoil](https://what3words.com/dared.liked.spoil).
Photographs taken at the location show traffic lights on both sides of the carriageway, together with new red tactile paving.
Temporary barriers and evidence of recent groundworks suggest that installation or associated finishing work has been taking place.
The tactile paving is designed to help pedestrians, particularly those with visual impairments, identify where the crossing is located.
Although the installation appears substantially complete, the Great Park Gazette has not yet established whether the crossing has been commissioned or when it will be switched on.
A safer walk to Morrisons and Great Park Town Centre
One of the most significant potential benefits of the new crossing is improved pedestrian access to Great Park Town Centre.
For residents living on the opposite side of Wagonway Drive, travelling to Morrisons and other local facilities can involve crossing the road as part of their journey.
Once operational, the traffic-light-controlled crossing could provide a safer and more convenient way to make that journey.
This could be particularly beneficial for families with young children, older residents, people with mobility difficulties and those using wheelchairs or pushchairs.
It could also encourage more people to walk to local shops rather than use their cars for relatively short journeys.
As Great Park continues to grow, safe and accessible walking routes between residential neighbourhoods, shops, schools and community facilities are becoming increasingly important.
The new crossing could therefore represent a practical improvement for residents who already live in the area, as well as those moving into future developments.
The new crossing connects footpaths on both sides of Wagonway Drive, potentially improving access to Great Park Town Centre
Could the crossing also serve 155 new homes north of Brunton Lane?
The installation comes just over two weeks after Newcastle City Council's Planning Committee considered proposals by Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes for 155 additional homes on land north of Brunton Lane, adjoining Newcastle Great Park.
The application, reference 2025/1264/01/DET, was considered on Friday 2 October 2026.
Councillors supported the recommendation to be minded to grant planning permission, subject to a Section 106 legal agreement and planning conditions.
The development includes:
- 36 two-bedroom flats
- 14 two-bedroom houses
- 86 three-bedroom houses
- 19 four-bedroom houses
The scheme also proposes 15% affordable housing and financial contributions towards local education, healthcare, sports facilities and other infrastructure.
The development's proximity to Wagonway Drive makes the newly installed pedestrian crossing particularly relevant.
As additional homes are built, demand for safe walking routes to Great Park Town Centre, schools, bus stops and other local facilities is likely to increase.
However, while the crossing is located in the wider area of the proposed development, there has been no confirmation that it is being installed specifically as part of the 155-home scheme.
Read our previous coverage: [155 new homes approved north of Great Park](https://www.greatparkgazette.co.uk/news/155-new-homes-approved-north-of-great-park).
Planning documents confirm improvements to pedestrian access
Interestingly, the council's Planning Committee decision includes several requirements relating to walking routes, highways and public transport.
These provide an important connection between the new housing proposals and the wider pedestrian network around Wagonway Drive and Brunton Lane.
The proposed Section 106 agreement includes a requirement to deliver and maintain a pedestrian route connecting the development to Great Park Town Centre.
The agreement is also intended to secure a financial contribution of £58,538 towards a covered bus shelter on the northern side of Wagonway Drive.
Additional planning conditions include:
- Details of off-site highway improvements to Brunton Lane, with those works required before the first home is occupied.
- Resurfacing of an existing Brunton Lane footpath, to be completed before occupation of the 75th dwelling.
- Further approval of detailed highway works associated with individual development phases.
- A travel plan and travel passes to encourage sustainable transport.
These requirements demonstrate that pedestrian access and transport infrastructure form an important part of the proposed development.
They also highlight the importance of ensuring future residents can travel safely between their homes and existing facilities.
The new Wagonway Drive crossing could potentially complement these improvements by providing an additional controlled crossing point within the surrounding road network.
However, the planning decision does not specifically identify the newly photographed traffic lights as part of the 155-home development's obligations.
The precise relationship between the crossing and the housing proposals therefore remains to be established.
Newcastle City Council proposed a crossing on Wagonway Drive in 2022
There is also evidence that a controlled crossing on Wagonway Drive had been considered several years before the latest housing application.
In August 2022, Newcastle City Council launched a consultation on traffic restrictions, speed limits and pedestrian crossings across the Great Park Way area.
The proposals included Toucan crossings at several locations, specifically naming Wagonway Drive.
Other roads included Great Park Way, Kingston Park Road, Primrose Lane, Ringlet Drive and the new link road.
Toucan crossings allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross using traffic signals.
The council subsequently confirmed that the proposed traffic restrictions would be introduced from October 2022.
This suggests the newly installed crossing could form part of a longer-standing programme of road and pedestrian improvements rather than being introduced solely because of the recent housing proposals.
However, the Great Park Gazette has not yet established whether the installation photographed on Wagonway Drive is the same crossing originally proposed in 2022.
The exact operational arrangements, including whether cyclists will be able to use it, also remain to be confirmed.
Residents can view the [original Newcastle City Council consultation here](https://www.letstalknewcastle.co.uk/consultations/352/participate).
New traffic signals and tactile paving beside a footpath on Wagonway Drive, aimed at improving pedestrian safety
Infrastructure remains a key issue for Great Park residents
The installation comes as the delivery of local infrastructure continues to be an important issue across Newcastle Great Park.
Residents have frequently raised concerns about ensuring that roads, paths, community facilities and other essential infrastructure keep pace with the construction of additional homes.
The recently supported 155-home development has also generated discussion about the capacity of existing facilities and the impact of further expansion.
Five objections were submitted by nearby Great Park residents during the planning process, with concerns including pressure on local schools, the loss of green space and the lack of bungalows suitable for older residents wishing to downsize.
The planning conditions relating to pedestrian access, road improvements and public transport therefore form an important part of how the new development is expected to integrate with the existing community.
For those living near Wagonway Drive, the new crossing could be an example of the type of practical improvement that helps connect different parts of Great Park.
As new homes are added, ensuring that residents can reach shops, schools, bus stops and community facilities without unnecessarily relying on cars will become increasingly important.
When will the new traffic lights be operational?
Although the new traffic lights and crossing infrastructure are now in place, a confirmed activation date has not yet been established.
It remains unclear whether further testing, commissioning or finishing work is required before the crossing can be brought into use.
Motorists travelling along Wagonway Drive should remain alert to the new infrastructure and obey any traffic signals that are operational.
Pedestrians should also avoid assuming the crossing is ready for use until it has been clearly commissioned.
The Great Park Gazette will continue monitoring progress and share further information as details become available.
A potentially welcome improvement for existing and future residents
Regardless of whether the crossing is connected directly to the 155-home development or an earlier programme of highway improvements, its installation could provide a useful addition to Great Park's pedestrian network.
For existing residents travelling on foot to Morrisons and the town centre, a properly functioning controlled crossing could make everyday journeys safer and more convenient.
For those who may eventually move into the new homes north of Brunton Lane, suitable pedestrian routes and convenient access to local facilities will be an important part of living in the area.
The planning requirements associated with the housing proposals demonstrate that walking routes, public transport and road improvements are already part of the wider development considerations.
The important question now is how the newly installed crossing fits into that wider network and when residents will be able to use it.
As Newcastle Great Park continues to expand, improvements such as this will play an important role in connecting existing and future neighbourhoods.
The Great Park Gazette will continue following both the new crossing and the nearby 155-home development, including any further information about pedestrian access and highway improvements.
What do you think of the new traffic lights on Wagonway Drive?
Will they make your walk to Morrisons and Great Park Town Centre safer? Are there other roads around Great Park where additional pedestrian crossings are needed?
We would welcome residents' views.
Sources and further information
- [Great Park Gazette – 155 new homes approved north of Great Park, 2 October 2026](https://www.greatparkgazette.co.uk/news/155-new-homes-approved-north-of-great-park)
- [Newcastle City Council – Search planning applications](https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/services/planning-building-and-development/search-view-and-comment-planning-applications) – Application 2025/1264/01/DET.
- [Newcastle City Council – Great Park Way area pedestrian crossing consultation, 2022](https://www.letstalknewcastle.co.uk/consultations/352/participate)
- [Newcastle Great Park – Walking routes](https://www.newcastlegreatpark.com/getting-around-on-foot/)
- [What3words – Wagonway Drive crossing location](https://what3words.com/dared.liked.spoil)
