Fresh doubt has been cast over the reopening of the road which sat beneath the demolished Gateshead Flyover. Local transport bosses say that further assessments are needed after the “unavoidable damage” caused by the tearing down of the flyover before a decision is made on the A167’s future.
Assessment and Debris Clearance
Gateshead Council announced on Monday morning that it was “working towards reopening the road”, with contractors currently clearing debris left from the flyover’s removal. However, the authority said that a potential reinstatement of the surface-level road that ran beneath the flyover “will need to be considered alongside the wider road network” and that it was “assessing how different options could affect traffic flows across the area”.
More than 1,000 people have signed a change.org petition calling for the route to be restored, reconnecting the Park Lane and Five Bridges roundabouts. It claims that the loss of the road had created a “chaotic” citation and was “turning the daily lives of local motorists, workers, and delivery drivers into a frustrating and seemingly endless battle with traffic bottlenecks”.
Council and Leader's Response
Council leader Nick Allan said on Monday: "The demolition of the flyover was a landmark project for Gateshead and naturally there is significant interest in what comes next. We are working towards reopening the road beneath the former structure, but it is important that we take the time to get this right."
"That means completing the remaining works, assessing the condition of the road and understanding what any proposals would mean for the wider highway network. The removal of the flyover has given us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine this part of Gateshead, and we will be working closely with local people and businesses to help shape its future."
ChronicleLive reported this summer that the council was warning the road beneath the flyover was in “no condition” to reopen imminently once the concrete eyesore’s demolition was finally completed. The elevated highway has now been removed, but work is continuing to remove the leftover debris and carry out repairs.
Future Plans and Costs
Addressing the fate of the road under the flyover on Monday, the council called the major demolition project an “an opportunity to rethink how this key part of Gateshead town centre could function in the future”. The council added: “Although measures were put in place to protect the road during demolition, unavoidable damage has occurred. Any future use of the road will need to be considered alongside the wider road network. Before the flyover was removed, traffic was able to bypass two of the town centre's busiest roundabouts.”
“The council is therefore assessing how different options could affect traffic flows across the area and what improvements may be required elsewhere to ensure the network continues to operate safely and efficiently. In the meantime, temporary measures, including new kerbing, have been installed to keep the area safe, secure and tidy while assessments continue.”
The overall cost of the flyover demolition has now risen to more than £32 million, according to latest estimates presented to councillors on Monday. While detailed plans for what could be developed in its place are still being worked on, a consultation on a broader vision and plans for the town centre is due to begin this month.
