Gateshead Council has unusual tribute to Lewis Hamilton

In a warped tribute to Lewis Hamilton's Grand Prix victory contractors used by Gateshead Council have turned streets in Saltwell and Bensham into a race track. Over the last two weeks the green areas created by the demolition of two thirds of Armstrong Street have been gravelled over and turned into a builders yard. The purpose of the yard has now been revealed. It seems to be a staging post for contractors used by Gateshead Council to renovate other properties in the area.

However in some kind of strange tribute to Lewis Hamilton the contractors now race dumper trucks and JCBs up and down the back lanes between residents' homes. One resident has nearly been knocked over and two bollards, ironically installed to stop joy riding, have been smashed through by the would be Formula One builders. 

In MacAdam Street a series of holes have been dug along the street for the so-called purpose of disconnecting electric meters. Just how digging holes in the pathway will help remove meters from inside houses is anyones guess. It does have the effect of making the street impossible to walk down by the remaining residents resisting demolition. 

Making the blighted streets of central Gateshead more unpleasant for demolition protesters seems to be a full time job for council employees. Meanwhile in other parts of the borough Gateshead Council claims to be acting against anti-social behaviour. Perhaps they could start by policing their own contractors.