Road closures for doomed flyover safety checks

Roads surrounding the Gateshead flyover will close overnight

Overnight closures on roads surrounding a doomed flyover are to begin so checks can be made on the concrete structure, ahead of its demolition.

The A167 Gateshead Highway flyover has been closed since December over fears it could collapse.

A section will shut each night until Saturday, from 22:00 to 06:00 BST, as checks are carried out ahead of demolition works due to start in the autumn, Gateshead Council said.

Strategic director for economy, innovation and growth, Anneliese Hutchinson, said: "It's really important to develop a comprehensive demolition programme with our specialist contractors to bring the flyover down safely."

The 1960s-built structure previously carried about 40,000 vehicles a day.

In June, council leader Martin Gannon said work was due to start on the demolition in August and be completed by the end of March "at the very latest".

This week's checks will focus on the concrete edging and the underside of the bridge deck to ensure no problems emerge before the demolition work begins, the Labour-led council said.

The following sections will be closed overnight:

• From today - Park Lane Roundabout and approach ramps

• Thursday - Sunderland Road bus only link

• Friday - Bellevue Roundabout (junction of A167, B1426, also known as Five Bridges)

• Saturday - Park Lane Roundabout and approach ramps

Newcastle City Council already announced that work would begin mid-August on the A167 Central Motorway, which will be after Gateshead's surveys on the flyover are complete, the council confirmed.