Over 7,500 tonnes of the Gateshead Flyover have been removed in the first eight weeks of its demolition, a weight heavier than the iron frame of the Eiffel Tower. The major project to eliminate the disused highway is now in its eighth week, with a significant portion of the crumbling concrete structure already gone.
Progress of the Demolition
More than 100 metres of the A167 flyover have been torn down on either side of the Sunderland Road bus lane. This has created a large gap around the Aidan House office block. The flyover, a complex structure split into three main sections held together by high-tension steel cables, originally spanned 900 metres. It consisted of 27 smaller spans, six of which have now been fully demolished. Two access ramps have also been removed.
Gateshead Council and demolition contractor BAM confirmed that approximately 7,500 tonnes of material have been taken off-site. This surpasses the 7,300 tonnes of wrought iron that forms the metal framework of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The entire flyover is estimated to weigh around 30,000 tonnes, meaning roughly a quarter has been demolished by weight.
Timeline and Future Works
Contractors began intensive demolition work in April 2026, 15 months after the flyover's emergency closure in December 2024 due to structural concerns. The neighbouring Computer House office block was demolished to provide better access. It is hoped the flyover will be completely removed by October 2026.
To prevent collapse, 40 steel props, each weighing 10 tonnes, have been installed to support the structure. The next phase will require the closure of the Five Bridges roundabout from June 21 to July 16, followed by the Park Lane roundabout in July. This is expected to cause significant traffic disruption on the edge of Gateshead town centre.
Traffic Management
During the Five Bridges closure, a shuttle bus service will be funded for residents in the Sunderland Road area due to the rerouting of some Go North East buses. The bus lane on Durham Road, west of the roundabout, will be temporarily suspended to allow all northbound traffic to reach the town centre.
Anneliese Hutchinson, strategic director for Economy, Innovation and Growth at Gateshead Council, stated: "We know the demolition programme for the flyover is going to cause some disruption, but we are working hard to minimise that. And I want to be clear: Gateshead town centre remains open for business." She encouraged residents to use buses or the Metro to reduce congestion during the closures.
