Levelling up in the north east?

I agree with you ayse. Sometimes the divides between big cities (Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, etc) and their hinterlands are huge.

A few months ago, I read a report about Manchester, showing the correlation between house prices and transport links. My experience of central Manchester is that public transport is excellent, but it's not so easily accessible to people living in some of the surrounding towns.

No doubt the government will tick a box that it's done something for the North East and will crow about it in interviews.

I've got a friend who currently works in Benton. Has childcare etc arranged around it all. It's massively going to affect her, moving to work in the city centre. Newcastle rush-hour is from 3-7pm. Imagine how much worse it's going to get.

How is moving a government department from one area of Newcastle to another anything to do with moving government departments to the regions?

It also means that our inadequate road system may become even more snarled up and more polluted.

Newcastle is hell to negotiate even now!

I know about getting from Wallsend to Teams by car. It takes almost as long as going on public transport. I generally use the buses but as you say using a car is a nightmare.

Well, is all about ticking boxes as it’s all nonsense!

I do wish there was a like button. I can’t quote all of you. ?

No doubt the new (old railway stations) will also encourage out of town development in those areas with corresponding house price rises making it even more difficult for more people to buy in their local area.
???

Fear noy ayse. A couple of people are going to do very well from the move to Newcastle:

www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/nov/25/hmrc-to-relocate-to-newcastle-office-owned-by-tory-donors-via-tax-haven

Fear not