The Five Bridges roundabout in Gateshead will be closed to all traffic for 25 days starting Sunday, June 21, as part of the demolition of the Gateshead Highway flyover. The closure will last until Thursday, July 16.
Work schedule and diversions
From June 21 to June 24, contractors BAM and Thompsons will work day shifts only. From June 25 onwards, they will operate 24 hours a day to minimise the closure duration. Official diversion routes will be clearly signposted.
The council is funding a shuttle bus service (S1) for residents in the Sunderland Road area while Go North East services are diverted. Drivers are advised to allow extra time and use alternative routes where possible.
Measures to reduce disruption
The council encourages public transport, park and ride, car sharing, walking, or cycling for shorter trips. For drivers needing access to the town centre or Newcastle, specific measures are in place:
- The bus lane on Durham Road west of the roundabout will be temporarily suspended to allow all northbound traffic to reach the town centre.
- On the east side, traffic can travel both ways between Sunderland Road and Old Durham Road once the roundabout closes.
- Access to the Tesco car park at Trinity Square is now via Lambton Street from High Street and Oakwellgate junction; exit is available in both directions.
Gateshead town centre will remain open for business throughout the closure.
Official statement
Anneliese Hutchinson, strategic director for Economy, Innovation and Growth, said: "This is a major milestone in the demolition of the flyover. Our contractors have already made good progress since work began in April, removing eight spans of the structure, plus the central access ramps. Now the team need to focus on removing the Five Bridges roundabout section, and we know that will cause disruption to local residents and businesses. We are thankful for people’s understanding that this is a vital project and the work has to be completed, to safely demolish the southern end of the flyover. Our council colleagues are working hard to keep disruption to a minimum, and there will also be a series of events in the town centre throughout the summer, to help support our traders in a period when car journeys will be more challenging. Fortunately Gateshead is very well served by the Metro and bus services, and we have a growing network of cycle routes too, to allow people to travel in a variety of different ways."
Pedestrian diversions
Pedestrian diversions will be in place while the flyover is demolished, and pedestrian footbridges across the roundabout will be closed. The crossing between St Edmunds Road and Whitehall Road will remain open to cross Durham Road. BAM will open a pedestrian-only path on the route of the Sunderland Road bus lane from June 24 to allow easier access to the High Street.
Full details on bus service changes are available on the Go North East website. For all updates on the flyover demolition project, visit the council's page.
