All you need to know on Gateshead Highway Flyover closure for Monday rush-hour(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

All you need to know about Gateshead Highway Flyover closure for Monday morning rush-hour

15 Dec 2024, 20:02 by Nicole Goodwin · ChronicleLive

Severe delays are expected on Monday after a major road into Newcastle City Centre was closed with immediate effect on Friday night.

Gateshead Council announced on Friday night that the Gateshead Highway Flyover (A167) would be closed to all traffic immediately. This is due to "serious concerns about the structural integrity" of the flyover, raised by structural engineers following inspections.

Coun Martin Gannon, leader of Gateshead Council said on the closure: "Public safety has to be our top priority, and so we have acted to shut down the highway immediately. Closing these roads is a big decision, and we recognise the impact this will have on the transport network across the whole area.

"The engineers make clear there is a risk to certain sections of the structure continuing to be in use, and hence a risk to the travelling public. Monitoring and further inspections will continue to ensure everyone's safety and determine next steps."

Here's all you need to know following the major road closure:

Where is Gateshead Flyover?

Gateshead Flyover is part of the A167, and starts south of the Tyne Bridge. It runs above the Park Lane Roundabout and Five Bridges roundabout, parallel with Gateshead High Street, onto Durham Road.

It was built in the 1960s and is one of the main roads into Newcastle city centre from south of the River Tyne.

Why was the road closed?

How many people use the Flyover each day?

Around 40,000 vehicles use the Flyover on a daily basis, according to Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon's figures. He said the council would do everything it could to reduce congestion.

So how does Gateshead Council plan to reduce congestion following the closure?

Coun Gannon has advised commuters to avoid travelling at peak times on Monday, as the first working day following Gateshead Flyover's closure begins.

He said: "Due to the significant impact of the road closures, our advice to commuters is to avoid travelling at peak times, allow extra time for journeys and use alternative routes and public transport where possible.

"Working from home if you’re able to will also help minimise disruption. Thanks for your patience and understanding."

Coun Gannon also told ChronicleLive: "Obviously, we will look at every single thing we can. There are some bus lanes we may have to re-examine, everything will be looked at."

Where is traffic being diverted?

Diversions are in place as a result of the road closure on the upper and lower levels of the Flyover. A map of the the diversions in place can be found on the Gateshead Council website here.

Is there any disruption to public transport?

Commuters may need to allow extra time for their journeys if using public transport, which may also be busier than usual following council advise to use public transport where possible if required to travel via the Flyover.

Nexus confirmed on Sunday that a speed limit of 30km/h is in place in the tunnel between Gateshead and Gateshead Stadium Metro stations, which runs under the Flyover. On Saturday, speeds were restricted to just 10km/h, causing severe delays for Christmas shoppers and football fans.

Several bus services may also be impacted and passengers are advised to check their transport provider for updates.

What will happen to the road and how much is the work going to cost?

Coun Gannon, who is also the North East Combined Authority's deputy mayor, said that the council had been aware of the problems and risks associated with the flyover for some years, and that funding was needed to move forward. He said: "It's a 1960s concrete structure, we know it has a limited lifespan.

"It's going to take tens of millions to either demolish it, replace it, and put a new road system in place, and that money needs to come from central Government."

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