Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle North, paid a recent visit to Riverside Lodge in Newburn to meet with residents and hear their thoughts about the local area over a cup of tea and slice of cake for resident Maureen Clarke’s birthday.  Managed by Places for People, Riverside Lodge incorporates 77 individual flats in a sheltered housing setting.

Catherine also went on a walkabout of the immediate area with residents and Sheltered Housing Officer, Catherine Dowson, to listen to their concerns on a number of issues, including speeding on nearby roads.

Catherine said:

‘I’m really pleased that Riverside Lodge residents invited me to come and have a chat with them – this sheltered accommodation is in a lovely setting in Newburn and it’s clear that there’s a really friendly, family atmosphere amongst the people who live there. Hearing their memories about the local area in days gone by was fascinating, including rail trips to the coast made all the way from Newburn.

‘I was very concerned to hear about the problems caused by speeding traffic in the immediate area, which is clearly particularly dangerous for Riverside Lodge’s less-mobile or visually impaired residents, and I will be pressing for action on this issue.’

Sheltered Housing Officer at Riverside Lodge, Catherine Dowson, said: ‘The residents found communicating with Catherine very comfortable, and hope she will visit again soon.’