Commuters thanked following closure of the Gateshead Highway
Council leaders want to thank residents and businesses for taking action to avoid the roads around Gateshead Highway in peak times this morning after its emergency closure last Friday.
The decision was taken to shut the A167 Gateshead Highway flyover after structural investigations revealed it was not safe to keep open.
As a result, significant delays were predicted. However, drivers, pedestrians and cyclists appear to have followed advice to use alternative routes or public transport and whilst there were some queues, traffic did not build up as heavily as expected.
Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said:
"We knew closing the roads would have an impact on those travelling into the borough and surrounding areas, so we were prepared for traffic issues during this morning's rush hour.
"However, our monitoring of the traffic this morning has shown that while there was some build-up of vehicles in the area, this was far less than predicted and traffic was able to keep moving.
"I want to thank members of the public who have listened to our advice over the weekend to try and find alternative routes or different transport options.
"We really do empathise with businesses and our residents who may have been adversely affected by this closure, especially given the time of year.
"The decision to shut the roads was not taken lightly and all options were thoroughly examined. Safety had to come first. We have always been upfront about the deterioration of the flyover, and it not being sustainable for the long term. We have managed its maintenance carefully, while we have been working towards a long-term solution.
"That is why we have been monitoring and surveying the structure and will continue to do so as we look at next steps we can take. Whatever we do we will always put people's safety first and foremost.
"My message to everyone is please try and find an alternative way or use public transport if you can and avoid peak times into Gateshead if you can. That will minimise any impact on your journey. And please do still come into the town centre as our businesses are still open as usual. Just plan your journey ahead of setting off is what I would ask."
The roads were shut to all traffic on Friday evening after an inspection by consultant structural engineers earlier in the day indicated a potential risk to safety if it remained open.
The whole of the flyover is closed, along with the road beneath the flyover between the Park Lane roundabout (junction with A184 Felling bypass) and the Five Bridges roundabout (junction with B1426 Sunderland Road).
The two roundabouts remain open after expert advice from the consultant engineers confirmed it was safe to do so, allowing traffic to continue east/west and access between the A184 Felling bypass and the Tyne Bridge, and to the A1 regionwide.
However, the Five Bridges roundabout will be closed from 10pm tonight (Monday 16 December) until 6am tomorrow (Tuesday 17 December) for the next stage of maintenance checks.
We continue to work with neighbouring local authorities to manage traffic flows by signposting drivers to alternative routes, or to use public transport where possible.
Full diversion routes are in place.
Council leaders want to thank residents and businesses for taking action to avoid the roads around Gateshead Highway in peak times this morning after its emergency closure last Friday.
The decision was taken to shut the A167 Gateshead Highway flyover after structural investigations revealed it was not safe to keep open.
As a result, significant delays were predicted. However, drivers, pedestrians and cyclists appear to have followed advice to use alternative routes or public transport and whilst there were some queues, traffic did not build up as heavily as expected.
Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said:
"We knew closing the roads would have an impact on those travelling into the borough and surrounding areas, so we were prepared for traffic issues during this morning's rush hour.
"However, our monitoring of the traffic this morning has shown that while there was some build-up of vehicles in the area, this was far less than predicted and traffic was able to keep moving.
"I want to thank members of the public who have listened to our advice over the weekend to try and find alternative routes or different transport options.
"We really do empathise with businesses and our residents who may have been adversely affected by this closure, especially given the time of year.
"The decision to shut the roads was not taken lightly and all options were thoroughly examined. Safety had to come first. We have always been upfront about the deterioration of the flyover, and it not being sustainable for the long term. We have managed its maintenance carefully, while we have been working towards a long-term solution.
"That is why we have been monitoring and surveying the structure and will continue to do so as we look at next steps we can take. Whatever we do we will always put people's safety first and foremost.
"My message to everyone is please try and find an alternative way or use public transport if you can and avoid peak times into Gateshead if you can. That will minimise any impact on your journey. And please do still come into the town centre as our businesses are still open as usual. Just plan your journey ahead of setting off is what I would ask."
The roads were shut to all traffic on Friday evening after an inspection by consultant structural engineers earlier in the day indicated a potential risk to safety if it remained open.
The whole of the flyover is closed, along with the road beneath the flyover between the Park Lane roundabout (junction with A184 Felling bypass) and the Five Bridges roundabout (junction with B1426 Sunderland Road).
The two roundabouts remain open after expert advice from the consultant engineers confirmed it was safe to do so, allowing traffic to continue east/west and access between the A184 Felling bypass and the Tyne Bridge, and to the A1 regionwide.
However, the Five Bridges roundabout will be closed from 10pm tonight (Monday 16 December) until 6am tomorrow (Tuesday 17 December) for the next stage of maintenance checks.
We continue to work with neighbouring local authorities to manage traffic flows by signposting drivers to alternative routes, or to use public transport where possible.
Full diversion routes are in place.
