City road improvement works to last three months

Tailbacks were reported after lane closures were put in place on Scotswood Road

A key route into a city centre is to undergo major improvement works for three months.

Newcastle City Council says the majority of works on Scotswood Road are expected to last until February but disruption will be kept to a minimum.

The road is subject to a number of works including improvements to traffic signals and resurfacing.

Tailbacks were reported along the road last week caused by lane closures, which the council says will now be reinstated overnight only.

Lane closures are now only in place overnight, the council says

The works are among a long list of major projects happening at the same time in the city centre, including the A167 (M) Central Motorway and repairs to the Tyne Bridge. On the other side of the river, Gateshead flyover is also closed.

Resurfacing works along Scotswood Road form part of the £50m pledge from the Labour-led council to improve potholes across the city.

The local authority say new signals are needed on Scotswood Road because it is a "key route for people heading in and out of the city" and it will help will enable to manage traffic more effectively, particularly at peak times.

A spokesperson for Newcastle City Council said the daytime lane closures were removed on Friday and any additional lane closures required during the remainder of the works will take place outside of peak hours.

They added that temporary traffic signals will remain in place until the new permanent lights are installed and operational.

"Resurfacing work is also ongoing on Scotswood Road at Lemington and further resurfacing will continue on other sections of the road that are most in need of repair, which again will improve the route for drivers," they said.

"All resurfacing work is taking place overnight during off-peak hours to minimise any disruption."