Geoff Druett report about the roll out of a new one-way road system in Newcastle city centre for Tyne Tees TV news programme Today at Six broadcast on 25 November 1968. The report opens with a series of shots of new traffic signs on the Newcastle city centre streets. Geoff Druett introduces his report with a piece to camera on a busy Neville Street, outside the County Hotel. He speaks about the ‘pedestrian's favourite game – traffic dodging’, which was given extra spice at the weekend...

Geoff Druett report about the roll out of a new one-way road system in Newcastle city centre for Tyne Tees TV news programme Today at Six broadcast on 25 November 1968. The report opens with a series of shots of new traffic signs on the Newcastle city centre streets. Geoff Druett introduces his report with a piece to camera on a busy Neville Street, outside the County Hotel. He speaks about the ‘pedestrian's favourite game – traffic dodging’, which was given extra spice at the weekend when Newcastle’s one-way system came into force at midnight. It has taken corporation officials and engineers more than a year to work out. Judging by the behaviour of motorists and pedestrians that morning, it was going to take them almost as long to work it out. Vox pop with taxi driver (or chauffeur) who complains that he can’t turn into Newgate Street and he can’t drive up Bigg Market. Asked if he has made any mistakes, he admits to one. Vox pop with another motorist who thinks the new system should be quite good. He admits that he has also made some blunders. Druett and the motorist discuss how he is going to get where he needs to go. With an embarrassed smile, the man realises he will have to go all the way round the system on Clayton Street again. Druett piece to camera. He suggests that the authorities are prepared for people who don’t know how to navigate the system. The official plan explains the scheme and warns motorists to take care as pedestrians may step off the kerb looking to the left rather than the right on one-way streets. It warns pedestrians to check both ways. He says that the system has been introduced to make life easier for the motorist. Councillor Neville Trotter, Chairman of the Highways Committee, will take us around the system to explain the changes. Point of view travelling shot from a car as the reporter and Councillor Trotter drive around the one-way system. They turn onto Clayton Street from Neville Street, then turn right into Bewick Street, driving back towards Central Station on Neville Street. They then make a right turn onto Neville Street. Druett asks if it has been chaotic on this first morning. Councillor Trotter says there has been less chaos than expected for such a large scheme. The two discuss black spots such as the route they are driving. Trotter describes how the new Clayton Street system works and admits that it is confusing and that there was an alarming moment that morning when a regional bus drove the wrong way into Bigg Market. He was halted before he could cause any damage. Back on Clayton Street West, they drive past the Northern Goldsmiths building on the corner of Clayton Street West and Westgate Road with its distinctive art nouveau golden woman and clock, and the Gala Bingo Hall (once New Westgate Picture House and the Majestic Ballroom) to the right. Pedestrians cross the road in front of the car, as Druett and Trotter continue to discuss navigating the system. The reporter and councillor get out of the car at another trouble spot on the one-way system, on Newgate Street. A bus turns awkwardly into a new priority bus lane on Newgate Street marked by traffic cones. Trotter calls this a temporary measure. Pedestrians on their way to work make their way across the road. Geoff Druett rounds up the report by saying that motorists better take a navigator with them to read the signs.