Improving junctions in central Gateshead
Key changes are being made to streets and junctions in central Gateshead, as the council seeks to improve the flow of traffic ahead of two major roundabout closures this summer.
We have had a longstanding ambition to add networked traffic lights to all four approaches to the Bensham roundabout (currently only on two approaches), to help traffic flow.
The original aim was to get the whole project complete in time for the closure of the Five Bridges and Park Lane roundabouts at either end of the flyover.
But when our team was doing some early works last weekend, this caused major congestion.
To complete those works, it would be necessary for the roundabout to operate without any traffic lights for a period, and it is clear that this would cause unacceptable disruption.
So we have now scaled back the works planned for this weekend, and postponed completion to a later date.
Anneliese Hutchinson, strategic director of economy, innovation and growth, said:
"We apologise for the scale of the problems experienced last weekend.
We have looked again at the works schedule, and decided to alter the programme, so we will still install new below ground signals infrastructure this weekend, but not complete works which would require the existing traffic lights to be switched off - as this would risk creating more traffic problems in the town centre.
"We ask that people visiting Gateshead allow a little more time for their journeys, or use public transport where possible."
Two lanes will be open all weekend on the southbound West Central Route, which should help keep traffic flowing - and we will have just one lane closed on the roundabout, ensuring we have more capacity available on the roundabout than last weekend.
Meanwhile, a decision has been taken to change Lambton Street and Nelson Street back to the previous layout, allowing Trinity Square Gateshead (TSG) customers to exit the centre car park both left and right.
Should our staff pick up significant problems with traffic flow in the town centre, we will suspend all works until a later date.
The installation team for Bensham Roundabout has also removed the dedicated left turn lane which currently runs from the West Central Route into Charles Street / Regent Terrace.
Council contractors will also be adding two sections of yellow painted 'box junctions' to the roundabout, to make clear to drivers that they must not block sections of the junction where roads are joining - and this will be enforceable by the police.
The works on Bensham roundabout reflect feedback from local residents and motorists on problems they have experienced using the roundabout in recent months.
Key changes are being made to streets and junctions in central Gateshead, as the council seeks to improve the flow of traffic ahead of two major roundabout closures this summer.
We have had a longstanding ambition to add networked traffic lights to all four approaches to the Bensham roundabout (currently only on two approaches), to help traffic flow.
The original aim was to get the whole project complete in time for the closure of the Five Bridges and Park Lane roundabouts at either end of the flyover.
But when our team was doing some early works last weekend, this caused major congestion.
To complete those works, it would be necessary for the roundabout to operate without any traffic lights for a period, and it is clear that this would cause unacceptable disruption.
So we have now scaled back the works planned for this weekend, and postponed completion to a later date.
Anneliese Hutchinson, strategic director of economy, innovation and growth, said:
"We apologise for the scale of the problems experienced last weekend.
We have looked again at the works schedule, and decided to alter the programme, so we will still install new below ground signals infrastructure this weekend, but not complete works which would require the existing traffic lights to be switched off - as this would risk creating more traffic problems in the town centre.
"We ask that people visiting Gateshead allow a little more time for their journeys, or use public transport where possible."
Two lanes will be open all weekend on the southbound West Central Route, which should help keep traffic flowing - and we will have just one lane closed on the roundabout, ensuring we have more capacity available on the roundabout than last weekend.
Meanwhile, a decision has been taken to change Lambton Street and Nelson Street back to the previous layout, allowing Trinity Square Gateshead (TSG) customers to exit the centre car park both left and right.
Should our staff pick up significant problems with traffic flow in the town centre, we will suspend all works until a later date.
The installation team for Bensham Roundabout has also removed the dedicated left turn lane which currently runs from the West Central Route into Charles Street / Regent Terrace.
Council contractors will also be adding two sections of yellow painted 'box junctions' to the roundabout, to make clear to drivers that they must not block sections of the junction where roads are joining - and this will be enforceable by the police.
The works on Bensham roundabout reflect feedback from local residents and motorists on problems they have experienced using the roundabout in recent months.
