Council 'working towards' flyover road's reopening

A council is "working towards reopening" a road following the demolition of an unsafe flyover that ran above, but it has told drivers more needs to be done to assess the route's condition before a decision is made.

Work to knock down Gateshead's A167 Flyover was completed in late September following its closure in December 2024 on safety grounds.

Campaigners argue the closure of a stretch of road running between Park Lane and Five Bridges has led to a "seemingly endless battle with traffic bottlenecks".

In response, Gateshead Council leader Nick Allan said it was important to understand what any reopening proposals "would mean for the wider highway network".

In a statement, he added: "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.

"We will be working closely with local people and businesses to help shape its future."

The prospect of the road being permanently closed has sparked a 1,000-signature petition, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The document claims the loss of the road is "chaotic" and "turning the daily lives of local motorists, workers and delivery drivers into a frustrating and seemingly endless battle with traffic bottlenecks".

Councillor John Adams, who represents the borough's Saltwell ward, is among those calling on the Reform UK-led authority to reopen it.

"At the minute, a lot of cars are going up and down Prince Consort Road, which is a very narrow road without bus or cycle lanes," he told the council's corporate resources committee.

"I am very keen for the traffic to go down Durham Road, which is, I think, more appropriate for high levels of traffic."

Committee members were told traffic modelling work is being looked into, with the findings to be presented to cabinet at a later date.

The cost of the flyover demolition scheme so far has been put at almost £33m.

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