Gateshead A167 Flyover Faces Eventual Demolition Following Closure

A local authority leader has stated that a flyover, which accommodates tens of thousands of vehicles daily, is slated for future demolition. The A167 bridge, situated in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, was shut down on Friday following engineers’ discovery of “serious concerns” regarding one of its foundational pillars. Martin Gannon, the leader of Gateshead Council, could not confirm if the concrete structure, built in the 1960s, would ever become operational again. He stated, “It might be that we are able to lengthen its life but at some stage this will come down.” Gannon indicated that approximately 20,000 vehicles traverse the bridge in each direction daily, and its closure is anticipated to have an “enormous” effect on traffic flow. He further mentioned that the eventual dismantling of the structure could span around two years and would necessitate “tens of millions of pounds” in government funding. “Ultimately, the flyover, at some stage, will be permanently removed and we will have to live with the consequence of that,” he concluded. Additional inspections are scheduled for the aging bridge, and alternative routes have been established in the vicinity. Gannon advised, “If you can avoid the area, particularly at peak times, please avoid it.” He continued, “If you can find alternative routes, use alternative routes. If you can use public transport, use public transport.” Prior efforts to restrict traffic on the flyover have encountered public opposition. In 2020, the council implemented several road modifications, such as incorporating a cycle lane onto the flyover, with the intention of reducing pollution. A petition demanding the reversal of these changes garnered hundreds of signatures, leading to the policy being rescinded after just two days.