What would improve Newcastle for you? WE TAKE TO THE STREETS TO ASK HOW pounds 15M SHOULD BE SPENT

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), May 7, 2008

Byline: By LAURA JONES and VICKY ROBSON

PLANS for multimillion-pound facelift for Newcastle city centre were unveiled yesterday.

The scheme will aim to make the city's streets cleaner, greener and safer and is being backed by Newcastle United Football Club as well as university, hospital and council chiefs.

Over five years pounds 15m will be raised through a levy on city centre businesses, with the money being spent to improve the citys centre and attract more visitors to Newcastle.

The organisation behind the scheme, City Centre Partnership, says both the city's businesses and the public will have a say in how the money is spent.

We asked Chronicle readers how they would like the cash to be spent.

Dan Stubbings, 19, student, Washington: It should keep its old architecture but it also needs to be more up-to-date. The regeneration of the Quayside has raised the national profile of the city. I would like to see trams on the Quayside.

Eddie Brennan, 63, unemployed, Kingston Park: I would like to see a new stadium, like the 75,000-seater they wanted to build on Hunters Moor a few years ago. I don't see why Newcastle shouldn't have one like Manchester's.

Jackie Cooper, 40, newsagent, Falstone, Northumberland: I think the older buildings should be refurbished because some areas of the city are run-down. Westgate Road is a major route into the city and the state it's in is a disgrace.

Joan Rogers, 63, retired, from Kingston Park: The Monument is a mess, with cigarettes and food everywhere. Things are probably worse since the smoking ban started. Maybe having more street sweepers would help.

Barry Tate, 56, assistant steward, Coxlodge: I'd like to see engineering come back to the Tyne. There is a lack of jobs and apprenticeships for young lads and lasses. It seems a waste. I don't think there is enough investment in the city.

Jean Joyce, 72, retired, Tynemouth: I love it here. The shops are wonderful, it is clean and such a lovely place. I was born here but lived away for most of my life but I moved back because of the friendliness. I wouldn't change a thing.

Jo Heelas, 29, events manager, from Gateshead: I'd like more seating areas for when it's sunny - and more ice cream vans in the city centre. Then I'd like them to get on to tackling the pigeon problems in the city.

Debbie Johnson, 38, sales and marketing manager, North Shields: I love working in the city centre. It's a fantastic, vibrant city and there is so much going on. But I would like to see more reasonable parking.

Lee Allen, 30, recruitment assistant, Byker: I've just come back from Rome and I've noticed how stressed out everybody is. It would be great if we could have a bit more of a relaxed lifestyle here, more of a cafe culture and places to sit outside.

Jenny Goldstein, 46, solicitor, from South Gos-forth: I love our city centre, it's beautiful and I think we should make the most of it with more street entertainment and events. I'd like more green spaces like Old Eldon Square.

Maureen Tinsley, 60, psychotherapist, Heaton: I ould like to see less mess on the streets. And I think the roads should be better signposted for drivers in places like the one-way system. We could also do with more green spaces as well.

Rose Alderson, 75, retired cleaner, West Moor: I'd like to see the mess around the Bigg Market get cleared up. There are plenty of bins but no-one seems to use them. People need reminding. There are cigarette butts everywhere.

Glen Craig, 27, graphic designer, Stanley: There aren't very many open areas to sit out in when the sun's shining. I'd like to see more spaces like Charlotte Square. Other cities like Edinburgh do it really well. Newcastle could do better.

Alan Wright, 67, retired, Coxlodge: I don't think anything could make it better here. I've lived in Newcastle my whole life and I quite like it. Northumberland Street is great without the buses. More could be done to keep the streets clean, though.

John Blench, 69, bank porter, Whickham: There are some parts of the city that are so dirty. The alleys in the Bigg Market are a dis grace. There is litter everywhere and I think the city needs a massive clean-up to sort it out.

Phil Clemo, 24, county court advocate, from Beamish: I don't think there are many city centres nicer than Newcastle. We're architecturally blessed. But I would like to see rumble strips on Blackett Street to warn people of buses.

Emma Jobson, 27, student administrator, from Mor-peth: There aren't enough recycling bins in the city centre. But there are loads of bins about, so maybe we could swap some of those. Having someone to police litter louts would help too.

CAPTION(S):

EVOLVING CITY: Our report yesterday; Dan Stubbings; Eddie Brennan; Jackie Cooper; Joan Rogers; Barry Tate; Jean Joyce; Jo Heelas; Debbie Johnson; Lee Allen; Jenny Goldstein; Maureen Tinsley; Rose Alderson; Glen Craig; Alan Wright; John Blench; Phil Clemo; Emma Jobson