A MAJOR road, once used by thousands of drivers every day, is set to be demolished over fears that it could collapse.
Councillors will soon vote on the plan to demolish the A167 Gateshead Flyover, after a report from Gateshead Council described the flyover as “inherently unsafe” and at risk of collapse.
The structure has reached the end of its life[/caption]
The council has yet to provide a firm date for when the demolition will begin, though work could be completed within the next financial year[/caption]
Repairing the structure to make it usable again would cost at least £5.7 million, though the price could rise, and it wouldn’t address the core problem of water infiltration[/caption]
In December 2024, the “eyesore” flyover was closed after structural issues raised alarms.
The highway, built in the 1960s and once carrying around 40,000 vehicles daily, has endured significant wear and tear.
Years of water damage, rust, and cracks have compromised its foundation.
A council report highlights ongoing drainage issues causing further deterioration, with concerns over concrete damage and weakened steel tendons.
Repairing the structure to make it usable again would cost at least £5.7 million, though the price could rise, and it wouldn’t address the core problem of water infiltration.
A report ahead of next week’s council meeting confirms the structure has reached the end of its life.
Although £18 million is allocated for the demolition in the council’s 2025/26 budget, both the final cost and timeline remain uncertain.
While the council has not set a definite start date, the work is expected to be completed within the next financial year.
North East mayor Kim McGuinness has previously expressed her willingness to assist with funding the flyover’s demolition.
The Labour administration is expected to approve the demolition at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
The decision comes after extensive temporary repairs to two pillars of the flyover, designed to prevent further deterioration and reopen the Sunderland Road bus lane.
However, these repairs are considered a short-term fix.
The cost of repairing the flyover properly would exceed £5.7 million and may not resolve its underlying issues, making demolition the most practical solution.
Council leader Martin Gannon has long pushed for the removal of the flyover to make way for a new, more attractive, tree-lined boulevard to help revitalise the town centre.
Although Gannon recently proposed that the work might take 12 months or less, no definitive timeline has been established.
The demolition is seen as a critical step in the council’s long-term vision to transform the area and attract investment.
However, previous attempts to secure government funding for regeneration projects have fallen short.
Despite concerns over the loss of the busy route, traffic flow in Gateshead has not significantly increased since the flyover’s closure, suggesting that the road was primarily used as a commuter route into Newcastle.
Gannon believes this is the right moment for change, with the closure offering a unique opportunity to rethink Gateshead’s transport and development strategy.
The demolition plan also involves removing pedestrian footbridges at the Five Bridges roundabout and closing the nearby skatepark, although alternative arrangements are being explored.
The council hopes this bold move will set the stage for a better, safer, and more prosperous future for Gateshead and its residents.
The 1960s-built highway, which carried around 40,000 vehicles each day, has suffered from years of wear and tear, with cracks, rust, and water damage weakening its foundation[/caption]
However, previous attempts to secure government funding for regeneration projects have fallen short[/caption]
