Precautionary closure of Park Lane roundabout
The Park Lane roundabout at the junction of the A167 and the A184 Felling bypass will be closed to all traffic from 6pm this evening (Tuesday 16 September) until 6am tomorrow morning (Wednesday 17 September).
Engineers will be carrying out an inspection of the concrete flyover above the roundabout.
A small amount of debris was found on the roadway this afternoon, following an incident involving a driver reporting damage to the roof of their vehicle, and the council recognises the need to be cautious in checking the edging of the flyover to ensure no repeat of this incident.
Newcastle-bound traffic will be diverted off the A184 at the Heworth interchange to take the B1426 Sunderland Road, then Arthur Street and Prince Consort Road past the Civic Centre, then down A184 West Central Route and along Askew Road to the Redheugh Bridge.
Southbound traffic from the Tyne Bridge will be diverted to use Hawks Road and Quays Boulevard before rejoining the A184 Felling bypass at the Albany Road junction.
From 8pm this evening, the Tyne Bridge is also subject to a planned closure as work continues to remove the Great North Run signage from the bridge.
From that time onwards, all cross river traffic will be asked to use the same diversion via the Redheugh Bridge, Askew Road and West Central Route.
Other local diversions will be signposted as appropriate. Drivers are asked to be patient and allow more time for their journeys.
Anneliese Hutchinson, strategic director for Economy Innovation and Growth at Gateshead Council, said:
"We recognise this closure is going to be disruptive at a busy time of day, and apologise to drivers and other road users who are affected, but safety has to come first.
"We have inspected the condition of the flyover on a regular basis throughout the period it has been closed to traffic, just as we did when it was in use - and indeed it was one of those inspections which led to the flyover's closure last December.
"The most recent survey was completed only last month, to check on the condition of the concrete above the Park Lane roundabout, Sunderland Road bus lane and the Bellevue (Five Bridges) Roundabout.
"We know this structure needs to come down as soon as possible and we are working hard to get the demolition programme finalised soon."
The Park Lane roundabout at the junction of the A167 and the A184 Felling bypass will be closed to all traffic from 6pm this evening (Tuesday 16 September) until 6am tomorrow morning (Wednesday 17 September).
Engineers will be carrying out an inspection of the concrete flyover above the roundabout.
A small amount of debris was found on the roadway this afternoon, following an incident involving a driver reporting damage to the roof of their vehicle, and the council recognises the need to be cautious in checking the edging of the flyover to ensure no repeat of this incident.
Newcastle-bound traffic will be diverted off the A184 at the Heworth interchange to take the B1426 Sunderland Road, then Arthur Street and Prince Consort Road past the Civic Centre, then down A184 West Central Route and along Askew Road to the Redheugh Bridge.
Southbound traffic from the Tyne Bridge will be diverted to use Hawks Road and Quays Boulevard before rejoining the A184 Felling bypass at the Albany Road junction.
From 8pm this evening, the Tyne Bridge is also subject to a planned closure as work continues to remove the Great North Run signage from the bridge.
From that time onwards, all cross river traffic will be asked to use the same diversion via the Redheugh Bridge, Askew Road and West Central Route.
Other local diversions will be signposted as appropriate. Drivers are asked to be patient and allow more time for their journeys.
Anneliese Hutchinson, strategic director for Economy Innovation and Growth at Gateshead Council, said:
"We recognise this closure is going to be disruptive at a busy time of day, and apologise to drivers and other road users who are affected, but safety has to come first.
"We have inspected the condition of the flyover on a regular basis throughout the period it has been closed to traffic, just as we did when it was in use - and indeed it was one of those inspections which led to the flyover's closure last December.
"The most recent survey was completed only last month, to check on the condition of the concrete above the Park Lane roundabout, Sunderland Road bus lane and the Bellevue (Five Bridges) Roundabout.
"We know this structure needs to come down as soon as possible and we are working hard to get the demolition programme finalised soon."
