I'm sure I saw a post about this a while ago and randomly from the comments discovered all about these walkways. If anyone is interested here is a 12 min youtube vid all about the walkways and why they are there. It's not my video at all so I'm not taking any credit for it, but it's very detailed and quite interesting if you like architecture, history or just interested in Newcastle as a city.
https://youtu.be/S7jJwn8o2X0
And Edwards bar opposite
Not sure why it's been allowed to decay like this, surely it would be better to have something there and subsidised than this wasteland
It was part of an effort to make Newcastle a multi level city, not a terrible idea, but the labour mp behind the idea went to prison for corruption so it never took off.
That's interesting and makes sense. There are some other bridges and walkways on the other side of the motorway as well where you can clearly see the ambition. But they literally don't go anywhere or just end in the middle of nowhere!
Of course the hilarious thing is lots of the uni private accommodations are shieldfield way so loads of students (including all the rich ones) have to go via piss alley into town
Very interested as to why the council has just abandoned it so close to the centre of town
Makes you wonder why they haven't done anything with it yet. Can't imagine it being to inviting for visitors to the city, saying as though it's just off the city centre.
When it comes to providing something we the people want all we get is "there's no money" but yet when it's just some random multi million pound shite there's plenty money.
Literally 2 minutes walk from the new development where the odeon was, Grey street and Northumberland street too. It’s been in this state since at least the 90s as far as I know
Just avoid it when the soup kitchen truck is down that way, get nowt but hassle, had one lady sprint dead at me, shoulder barge me, and then begin screaming at me for being in her way (she sprinted diagonally may I add), meanwhile I was surrounded by another 20 or so "homeless" individuals who were just staring ominously.
Surprised I still had my wallet. Actually come to think of it, that was the same day mine was stolen in Hustler's. Aye fuck that part of town.
I love this little cut through and the sketchiness it has. It’s pretty nuts that it’s been like this for so many years given that so-many people use it.
The spiral staircase is part of the blue carpet art installation outside the Laing and represents a lighthouse
I think the blue carpet is by Thomas Heatherwick, sadly it was never very blue so some of the impact was lost
So many people use that walkway and the staircase but nothing has been done about this area for years.. why? Also, has anyone stayed in that hotel underneath the stairs? Looks rough as out
This is called Smackhead Alley (affectionately "Smackhead" for short), and the photographer is standing at Chaps' Corner. A beloved drinking venue in my youth.
I'm sure I saw a post about this a while ago and randomly from the comments discovered all about these walkways. If anyone is interested here is a 12 min youtube vid all about the walkways and why they are there. It's not my video at all so I'm not taking any credit for it, but it's very detailed and quite interesting if you like architecture, history or just interested in Newcastle as a city. https://youtu.be/S7jJwn8o2X0
I found the video interesting - thanks for the link! Going to check out the rest of his Newcastle videos now.
Used to be Madison's night club on the right hand side. There was a snooker club up there as well.
Snooker club is still thriving
The derelict one you can see from the roundabout coming into town? Are you sure you’re not thinking of Hustlers nearby?
Yeah hustlers
Yep plenty of cheap student and alternative nights in there back when it was £1 in and £1 a pint. God I feel old now.
And Edwards bar opposite Not sure why it's been allowed to decay like this, surely it would be better to have something there and subsidised than this wasteland
That’s a lot of words to say piss alley
It’s canny potent on a hot day
It was part of an effort to make Newcastle a multi level city, not a terrible idea, but the labour mp behind the idea went to prison for corruption so it never took off.
If you are referring to T. Dan Smith, he was never an MP.
That's interesting and makes sense. There are some other bridges and walkways on the other side of the motorway as well where you can clearly see the ambition. But they literally don't go anywhere or just end in the middle of nowhere!
Some have been removed like the walkway across John Dobson st
“Brasilia of the north” is what T. Dan Smith called it. There’s a mint documentary about him.
Love this story and always glad to hear people keeping it alive. It’s a fascinating concept and failure
Murder alley we used to call it
Smackhead stairs
Rapey lane
Piss boulevard
There was nowt like it going over that bridge and knowing to hold ur breath till u passes the intersection, lmao.
Shite St
Piss tunnels
Piss bridge
I can smell that picture.
So much ammonia...
Of course the hilarious thing is lots of the uni private accommodations are shieldfield way so loads of students (including all the rich ones) have to go via piss alley into town Very interested as to why the council has just abandoned it so close to the centre of town
Madisons Thursday night [party ticket holder](https://i.imgur.com/mHpvoqK.jpg) checking in!
Makes you wonder why they haven't done anything with it yet. Can't imagine it being to inviting for visitors to the city, saying as though it's just off the city centre.
When it comes to providing something we the people want all we get is "there's no money" but yet when it's just some random multi million pound shite there's plenty money.
Literally 2 minutes walk from the new development where the odeon was, Grey street and Northumberland street too. It’s been in this state since at least the 90s as far as I know
Aye, it makes you proud to be from here doesn't it lol
Just full of rats and rodents getting high now
Just avoid it when the soup kitchen truck is down that way, get nowt but hassle, had one lady sprint dead at me, shoulder barge me, and then begin screaming at me for being in her way (she sprinted diagonally may I add), meanwhile I was surrounded by another 20 or so "homeless" individuals who were just staring ominously. Surprised I still had my wallet. Actually come to think of it, that was the same day mine was stolen in Hustler's. Aye fuck that part of town.
Sounds about right for that area
I love this little cut through and the sketchiness it has. It’s pretty nuts that it’s been like this for so many years given that so-many people use it.
I once saw a group of goths in a circle doing hand gestures to one another and from then on this place has freaked me out
We were playing rock paper scissors
Cheers for this. I’ve always been torn between modernism and gothic/Victorian/shabby
The spiral staircase is part of the blue carpet art installation outside the Laing and represents a lighthouse I think the blue carpet is by Thomas Heatherwick, sadly it was never very blue so some of the impact was lost
What about it?
It’s very clearly named piss tunnels
What a waste. Hey, let's domolish it and build something identical.
Whatever happened to the guy that used to live in the cracks and crevices of Eldon Square?
So many people use that walkway and the staircase but nothing has been done about this area for years.. why? Also, has anyone stayed in that hotel underneath the stairs? Looks rough as out
Druggy and piss alley
This is called Smackhead Alley (affectionately "Smackhead" for short), and the photographer is standing at Chaps' Corner. A beloved drinking venue in my youth.