Roundabout closures as flyover demolition continues
The next stage in the demolition of the Gateshead Highway flyover will see the Five Bridges roundabout closed to traffic later this month, followed by the Park Lane roundabout in July.
While the work will be carefully planned and managed, it is likely to cause significant disruption.
During the temporary closure, Gateshead town centre will remain open, with lots to see and do and activities to enjoy.
Anneliese Hutchinson, strategic director for Economy, Innovation and Growth at Gateshead Council, said:
"We know the demolition programme for the flyover is going to cause some disruption, but we are working hard to minimise that. And I want to be clear: Gateshead town centre remains open for business.
"There is a whole programme of events over the summer, run by the council and by partners, for residents to enjoy the town centre. We're encouraging as many people as possible to get on the bus or the Metro to minimise congestion while certain roads or junctions have to be closed."
To help minimise disruption, the council is encouraging people to consider public transport, park and ride, car sharing, or walking and cycling for shorter trips.
For longer journeys, drivers are advised to plan ahead and choose alternative routes earlier in their journey, using main roads such as the A1 and A19 wherever possible to avoid delays around the affected roundabouts.
The closure of the Five Bridges (Bellevue) Roundabout will be in place for 24 days, from Sunday 21 June 2026 until Wednesday 16 July 2026.Our contractors will work around the clock to minimise the length of the closure. Official diversion routes will be clearly signposted.
The council will fund a shuttle bus service to serve residents in the Sunderland Road area who will see some Go NorthEast services diverted while Five Bridges roundabout is closed.
We are also taking other actions to help reduce the disruption.
The bus lane on Durham Road to the west of Five Bridges roundabout will be temporarily suspended, to allow all northbound traffic to reach the town centre.
On the east side of the roundabout, traffic will be able to travel in both directions between Sunderland Road and Old Durham Road, once the main roundabout has been closed.
The council is also installing additional traffic lights at the Bensham Road roundabout (just west of the Civic Centre) to help improve traffic flow.
Access to the Tesco car park at Trinity Square will still be available via Lambton Street. However, following feedback from local businesses, the road will revert to the previous layout, which means traffic will be able to enter Lambton Street from the High Street and Oakwellgate junction, but will be able to leave the car park in either direction.
After the demolition of the flyover above the Five Bridges roundabout is complete, and the roundabout has been re-opened,work will move on to Park Lane roundabout. We will provide further details about these road closures in the coming weeks.
We are also talking to the residents in the tower blocks closest to the flyover and next to the Park Lane roundabout, about the impact of the work on them.
For all the latest updates visit www.gateshead.gov.uk/flyover
The next stage in the demolition of the Gateshead Highway flyover will see the Five Bridges roundabout closed to traffic later this month, followed by the Park Lane roundabout in July.
While the work will be carefully planned and managed, it is likely to cause significant disruption.
During the temporary closure, Gateshead town centre will remain open, with lots to see and do and activities to enjoy.
Anneliese Hutchinson, strategic director for Economy, Innovation and Growth at Gateshead Council, said:
"We know the demolition programme for the flyover is going to cause some disruption, but we are working hard to minimise that. And I want to be clear: Gateshead town centre remains open for business.
"There is a whole programme of events over the summer, run by the council and by partners, for residents to enjoy the town centre. We're encouraging as many people as possible to get on the bus or the Metro to minimise congestion while certain roads or junctions have to be closed."
To help minimise disruption, the council is encouraging people to consider public transport, park and ride, car sharing, or walking and cycling for shorter trips.
For longer journeys, drivers are advised to plan ahead and choose alternative routes earlier in their journey, using main roads such as the A1 and A19 wherever possible to avoid delays around the affected roundabouts.
The closure of the Five Bridges (Bellevue) Roundabout will be in place for 24 days, from Sunday 21 June 2026 until Wednesday 16 July 2026.Our contractors will work around the clock to minimise the length of the closure. Official diversion routes will be clearly signposted.
The council will fund a shuttle bus service to serve residents in the Sunderland Road area who will see some Go NorthEast services diverted while Five Bridges roundabout is closed.
We are also taking other actions to help reduce the disruption.
The bus lane on Durham Road to the west of Five Bridges roundabout will be temporarily suspended, to allow all northbound traffic to reach the town centre.
On the east side of the roundabout, traffic will be able to travel in both directions between Sunderland Road and Old Durham Road, once the main roundabout has been closed.
The council is also installing additional traffic lights at the Bensham Road roundabout (just west of the Civic Centre) to help improve traffic flow.
Access to the Tesco car park at Trinity Square will still be available via Lambton Street. However, following feedback from local businesses, the road will revert to the previous layout, which means traffic will be able to enter Lambton Street from the High Street and Oakwellgate junction, but will be able to leave the car park in either direction.
After the demolition of the flyover above the Five Bridges roundabout is complete, and the roundabout has been re-opened,work will move on to Park Lane roundabout. We will provide further details about these road closures in the coming weeks.
We are also talking to the residents in the tower blocks closest to the flyover and next to the Park Lane roundabout, about the impact of the work on them.
For all the latest updates visit www.gateshead.gov.uk/flyover
