Motorists in Gateshead have described their 'nightmare' journeys since the closure of the Park Lane roundabout, which has turned Central Gateshead into a traffic hotspot.
Late last month, drivers were urged to avoid the area after the roundabout closed for around a month to facilitate flyover demolition. Gateshead Council and construction firm BAM confirmed engineers would work around the clock to reopen it as soon as possible.
Diversion Through Baltic Quarter
A diversion through the Baltic Quarter is in place, but the council has warned the route is not designed to manage the daily traffic the roundabout used to handle. Over a week on, motorists have shared their experiences.
Philip Ogden, 66, said: "It is a nightmare trying to do the simplest things, to come down to the High Street and go to Tesco to do some shopping. I want it done as quickly as possible; it's an absolute nightmare." He added: "There was a major incident on the A1 yesterday, and traffic is all backed up all the way to past the Metrocentre heading down."
Long Delays and Parking Woes
Ellie McDevitt, 22, who lives in Hebburn but works in the Indigo Tanning shop, said: "It is a nightmare; it usually took me 15 minutes to get to work, but it now takes me an hour and 10 minutes. I was sitting on the hill before the High Street, and I didn't move for 45 minutes; it was a nightmare. And you cannot get parked."
Caleb Adeboy, 45, noted: "There are a lot of road works in this area. I am familiar with the road network, so it's not really an issue for me, but it would be difficult for someone new. It does take longer because of the traffic than normal, so I plan ahead more now."
Impact on Visitors
Andrew Robinson, a strip-out demolition worker travelling from Manchester, said: "I am just about to find out now, it is not brilliant as there are a lot of works on. I am going up to Newcastle now. So, I'm expected to get stuck in that traffic now."
The diversion is expected to continue until August 21, and motorists are advised to use alternatives such as the A1 and the Redheugh Bridge to cross the Tyne.
In a previous statement, Anneliese Hutchinson, Gateshead Council's strategic director for economy, innovation, and growth, thanked drivers and "everyone who has borne with us" over the last few months. She stated the work was being done over the school holidays to minimise disruption but acknowledged that queues and disruption were anticipated.
