Killingworth Towers

Killingworth Towers were built in the early 1970's with a well-intentioned 'streets in the sky' approach with 'decks' above the roads designed to provide social space and safe walking above the traffic (similar to Newcastle's City in the Sky vision). Killingworth Towers were also built to a 'medieval castle-town' concept with the 27 blocks of public housing between 6-10 storeys high forming the 'castle walls', set in a parkland setting. The Towers were approached by a causeway across a lake like a drawbridge over a moat.[1] The Towers weren't a long-term success and were demolished in 1986-7. A hint of the medieval castle concept can still be seen in the street names in Killingworth. For example: Southgate (the drawbridge over the moat - aka Killingworth Lake), East Bailey, Citadel West, West Wynd and Northgate.