Gateshead flyover closure: What we know so far

A major transport structure in Gateshead has now been closed for almost one week - with no confirmation on when, or if, it will reopen.

The Gateshead flyover was shut on Friday 13 December after serious concerns about its safety were raised during an inspection by engineers.

Since then, Gateshead Council has said it wants to demolish the structure, used by around 40,000 vehicles a day, and completely "reconfigure" the area.

This is what we know so far about the closure and its future.

Why has the flyover been shut?

The A167 Gateshead Highway flyover was closed with immediate effect on Friday 13 December because of concerns over its structural integrity.

The road beneath the flyover between the Park Lane roundabout and the Five Bridges roundabout is also closed due to "serious concerns" over its safety.

Built in the 1960s, there have been reported signs of deterioration in its condition in recent years. But it was not until last week's inspections where the full extent of issues were discovered.

Will it reopen?

Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the flyover is "unsightly" and a "costly structure to maintain".

Cllr Gannon, who has led the council since 2016, said the flyover itself is "contrary" to their vision for the town.

He told ITV Tyne Tees earlier this week that he suspects the upper carriageway "will not reopen" at all.

There is no definite answer at the moment to whether any of the flyover will reopen, but council bosses are working with engineers on a case for a demolition and rebuild, which needs to be submitted in the new year.

Cllr Gannon said: "Whatever we do next will not be a quick solution however, as this will require funding which we don’t have as a council, and so need to seek elsewhere.

"It will also require specialist surveys, including asbestos surveys, and any delays which may occur because of moving utility services, for example."

The council also said it is looking into a number of options - including reviewing whether the road could even be partially re-opened.

History of failed attempts to fund a revamp

In recent years there have been unsuccessful applications from the council to demolish the flyover and upgrade the immediate area, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports.

In March 2019, Transport North East (on behalf of the council) submitted an expression of interest for a large local major project to the Department for Transport (DfT).

The bid was for £74.2 million and covered the demolition of the flyover as well as the construction of a new boulevard-style road scheme to replace it.

Three other projects in the region - the Tyne Bridge, Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor and Blyth Relief Road - were selected for funding, and the Gateshead scheme was rejected.

In October 2019, the council submitted an Expression of Interest to the DfT Local Highways Maintenance Challenge fund for the flyover.

The bid covered demolition of the concrete flyover and associated works to achieve tie-ins with Park Lane and Five Bridges roundabouts, totalling £18 million. That was also unsuccessful.

Cllr Gannon said: "We have over the years considered bidding for various funding streams to help us achieve our ambition.

“We have looked at the flyover both from a regeneration perspective, as in what we want to achieve for this part of the town centre, including new housing and businesses, and purely in terms of transport infrastructure."