'Everything will be looked at' as council leader warns of 'bad congestion' following Flyover closure
by Daniel Hall · ChronicleLiveGateshead Council leader Martin Gannon says "everything will be looked at" to minimise disruption following the closure of Gateshead Flyover, but warned "there will be severe congestion".
The Flyover was closed on Friday night with immediate effect after an inspection found "serious concerns" with the structural integrity of the 1960s-built road. Mr Gannon says that the council had "no choice but to close it immediately" and that "public safety is paramount."
Monday morning is likely to prove a huge test for the area's transport infrastructure, with the upper and lower levels of the flyover closed. It means that those who use 40,000 vehicles on the road each day now need to find an alternative way to get to their destination.
The A167 has already seen disruption for a number of months due to the ongoing Tyne Bridge works, and the flyover's closure is likely to increase journey times both in and out of Newcastle city centre on the A167. Martin Gannon said Gateshead Council are looking at every single thing they can to keep traffic moving.
He 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."
Coun Gannon told ChronicleLive on Saturday that the council had been aware of the state of the flyover for some time and that maintenance had been "almost constant" in recent years. He added that in that time (the council has been monitoring the road since at least 2011) contingency plans have been put in place, but the loss of the road will still result in heavy traffic.
He said: "In terms of contingency plans, of course, the highways department in Gateshead prepares and will constantly prepare wherever a road structure needs to close - not just the flyover. Diversions were put in place immediately (on Friday).
"It's just the fact you lose a main arterial route that's used by 40,000 vehicles a day, you put the contingency plan in place, but you've lost that road, and it will be badly congested."
Gateshead's Liberal Democrats have called for the re-opening of Askew Road, which has been a bus-only lane since July 2020, to regular traffic. Coun Gannon said that the council may have to re-examine some bus lanes, but would not confirm at this stage if re-opening Askew Road is an option.
He continued: "We'll have to really carefully examine all of those issues because what seems relatively simple, such as opening up certain bus lanes, there can be unintended consequences of that which might actually become more detrimental. So we have to really carefully consider it."
Coun Gannon reiterated that the overarching messages from Gateshead Council were to avoid peak times, travel by public transport, and to work from home where possible. He said: "Obviously, some people are in the fortunate position where they can work from home and travel at a less busy time of day.
"Of course, rather than being caught in traffic at peak times, if they have the facility to do that, they should do that. And if there is an alternative route, use an alternative route, but it will be badly congested."
For those using public transport, Nexus confirmed on Sunday that a speed limit of 30km/h is in place in the tunnel between Gateshead and Gateshead Stadium metro stations. On Saturday, speeds were restricted to just 10km/h, causing severe delays for Christmas shoppers and football fans.
A spokesperson for Nexus said: "Following an on site review yesterday with our engineers and the councils, we have increased the speed limit to try and reduce the impact. For the latest information please consult the Pop app."
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