New raingardens on Grey Street

In 2024, Newcastle City Council improved Grey Street, the work focused on transport the environment or this famous street.

The scheme included a series of raingardens. These are small garden areas with plants, with seating and artwork where people can sit and relax in the heart of the city.

These raingardens help soak up rainwater, meaning there’s less water on the road and footpaths reducing the risk of flooding.

They also:

• make the street greener and more attractive
• provide biodiversity and habitat in our city centre
• give people a place to relax and socialise
• help keep the city cooler in hot weather
• reduce pollution in the air

There is also artwork included in the raingardens that share the history of Grey Street and the old shops that used to be there.

The design had to work for everyone – including buses, bikes, delivery vans and local businesses.

The Blue Green Newcastle team will be working with others in the Council who are improving areas of the city like highway engineers, landscape architects and transport planners to include more features like this in the future.