Gateshead Flyover: Work begins to prop up unsafe structure after two weeks of transport disruption

Tom Barton was at the Gateshead Flyover as work to try and prop up the structure got underway.

Work to prop up parts of the Gateshead Flyover has got underway, council leaders have confirmed.

The structure has been closed to traffic and pedestrians since Friday 13 December after engineers raised safety concerns.

Initially, Tyne and Wear Metro trains were still allowed to use the tunnel under the flyover at a significantly reduced speed but services were suspended between Heworth on Monument on Thursday 19 December after further investigations.

There are fears services south of the Tyne could soon be forced to stop entirely due to train maintenance requirements.

Construction workers are now working to place props around a pillar which is directly over the tunnel where the Metro runs, providing additional support for the structure.

It is estimated that the work will take around four days to complete and it is hoped it will help to allow trains to run through the tunnel again as soon as possible.

Meetings have also been held between the Government, Gateshead Council and the North East Combined Authority, aimed at releasing funds to get demolition and the scheme for a new road underway in the new year.

Dale Owens, Gateshead Council’s Chief Executive, said: “We now have a timeline we are working towards around getting the propping in place, which in turn should expedite a resolution to the current transport issues. Our priority continues to be keeping people safe, while doing everything we can to work with our partners, particularly Nexus.

“We took the decision to close the flyover over serious safety concerns, only discovered due to our prudent close monitoring of the flyover. We have carried out all necessary remedial work over the years, as weworked towards plans to pull it down.

“Emergency planning has ensued ever since we closed the structure. A lot of what we do behind the scenes is often largely unseen by the public, but I can assure people getting to this stage has required significant effort on our part and my thanks go to everyone who has worked around the clock to make this happen, especially given the extra pressures of this being over the Christmas period.

“We are working with our partners, key stakeholders and the government to bring forward plans, working with the North East Combined Authority to ensure relevant funding is in place. Yesterday we agreed with the Department of Transport that this will be locally co-ordinated through a working group to be set up shortly.

“I am grateful for all the patience demonstrated by residents and stakeholders alike, who continue to follow the diversions and keep Gateshead moving and still open for business.”

Motorists have been asked to continue to follow the diversions in place while pedestrians have been urged to keep to footpaths and not break through the fencing. Extra security patrols are also in place.

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