Flyover demolition entering 'most complex phase'

The ongoing demolition of a major flyover bridge is entering its "most complex phase".

On Saturday at 20:00 BST, the busy Park Lane roundabout in Gateshead will be fully closed until the end of August - with the exact date to be announced later - as the 0.6-mile (0.95km) A167 flyover is removed.

The Gateshead flyover was shut suddenly at the end of 2024 over concerns it could collapse, with the estimated £18m demolition starting in April this year and expected to finish in October.

Gateshead Council strategic director of economy and growth, Anneliese Hutchinson, said: "Thank you to everybody for bearing with us whilst we're doing this work."

She said the council was "really pleased" with the progress of the project, although it had not been easy.

"We've tried to get things done as quickly and safely as possible with the minimum disruption, but it's a big, complicated project and it's been difficult - we're pleased we're on the final bit now," she said.

The Park Lane roundabout is heavily used by commuters travelling into Newcastle because it connects the A184 Felling Bypass to the A167 over the Tyne Bridge.

A diversion route will be in place via Quays Boulevard and Hawks Road, but officials warn that it was not designed to carry the volume of traffic that uses Park Lane.

Drivers are being told to use the A1, A19 and Tyne Tunnel rather than go through Gateshead town centre.

They are also being advised to walk, cycle or use public transport to get into the town centre.

One of the project leaders from construction company Bam, Jim Smyth, said: "We spent a good deal of time planning, surveying, investigaiting, and that's paying off now."

He said the project was entering its "most complex phase" because they were having to work around infrastructure such as traffic signals, underpasses, and the metro tunnels - as well as adjacent buildings.

"There's a lot to think about, we've got noise monitoring, dust monitoring, and vibration monitoring in place to make sure there's no danger of damage," he said.

However, he also said they had "maximised the amount of work we can do prior to the [Park Lane] closure" to reduce disruption, which the council also said had been timed to coincide with the school summer holidays.

Nicola Baldwin, who runs Hair Hunters salon on Gateshead High Street, said she expected the closure of Park Lane roundabout would make it harder for both her staff and clients to get to the business.

She said previous disruption to local roads had "added probably an extra half an hour" to her commute home due to increased traffic.

However, she said she had "not received any communication" from the council about the upcoming closures.

Hutchinson said: "I can only apologise to anyone who's feeling they haven't had the communication they need.

"We're here to help, contact us, we're willing to talk to any business in Gateshead and see what we can do."

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