What was set up to involve the residents in 1967, to discuss the changes?
The Byker for People Policy
Who led the development in the late 1960s?
Ralph Erskine (Sweden’s leading architect)
Where is Byker?
Inner city ward of Newcastle
How many people live in Byker Wall?
9500
In 1963, what did Byker have?
- the worst inner city problems in the city
- landlords refused to repair homes so conditions worsened
What is the average age of residents?
36 yrs
What is the Vicar’s opinion of Byker?
- unique
- fantastic area
- multicultural
What was the population of Byker in 2011?
12,200
What CBBC programme was set in Byker?
Byker Grove
When was the Byker wall built?
1971
How many ____ were there in 1981, compared to now?
- Butchers/bakers?
- Clothes shops?
- Vacant shops?
6 now 2
15 now 4
5 now 20
What were the proposals of the new development in 1970?
- family oriented
- free of traffic (pedestrianised areas)
- small shopping centre
What was Byker like in 1851?
- small township
- 2000 population
- Shields Rd was a country lane
In 2016, how much money was spent on refurbishing the Byker Wall?
- £9.7 milion
- new doors, roof, windows
What was Byker awarded in 2020?
- UK housing award
- neighbourhood transformation award
Why was the Byker wall built?
- improve the appearance of the area
- affordable
- blocked out the noise of the traffic
What were Erskine’s 3 reasons for knocking Byker down?
- poor housing (only 1 in 20 could be improved)
- independent survey showed a desire for new homes
- difficulty in providing a range of household sizes as most 2 bedrooms (Victorian terraced housing)
Describe Byker in the 1960s
- terraced housing
- low quality for ship workers
- little open space
Collaborations between Northumbria Police and the Byker Community Trust have provided opportunities for the residents - what has happened to the crime rate as a result?
between 2019 and 2020, anti-social behaviour reduced by 80%
What % of Shield’s Rd retail floor space was unused in 2017?
19.6%
How many times has Shield’s Rd been voted as the worst high street in Britain?
2
Following the redevelopment, what % felt there was community spirit?
60%
How did residents feel about the redevelopment? (1970)
60% were happy/agreed
What issues arose during the redevelopment? (1970)
- crime/vandalism
- copper/lead pipes were stolen and sold on
