Skatepark closes over concrete collapse fears

Gateshead Council said efforts were being made to find a replacement for skaters

A skatepark beneath a condemned flyover has been shut down over fears loose concrete could collapse.

The A167 Gateshead Highway flyover, which dates back to the 1960s, has been closed since December over fears it could crumble away.

It is due to be demolished as part of £18m works set aside by Gateshead Council, although no firm date has been given.

The Five Bridges skatepark continued to operate but a survey has since found "significant areas of concrete were loose". The council has pledged to accelerate efforts to find a replacement for skaters.

The skatepark had been earmarked for closure once demolition work began.

Neil Wilkinson, the council's interim service director for climate change, compliance, planning and transport, said: "Now action has to be taken to prevent any potential for harm, and we will keep talking to skaters locally about finding them a new home."

The Gateshead Highway flyover has been shut since December

Walkways around the Five Bridges roundabout, near to the skatepark, are still safe to use, the council confirmed.

The flyover demolition is expected to start in the autumn, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands.

Since its closure in December, the 1960s-built structure has been reinforced with new concrete to encase two of its piers which support the road, but it has never reopened to traffic.

Labour-led Gateshead Council has set aside an £18m budget for the demolition, while North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has committed £2.5m towards the works.