A major travel issue has arisen for many Newcastle United fans heading to the Newcastle v Leicester match.
Friday night has seen Gateshead Council release a statement (see below) announcing the immediate closure of the A167 Gateshead Highway flyover, which leads to the Tyne Bridge.
A stretch of road below the flyover has also been closed.
So if you are heading the the Newcastle v Leicester match from south of the river to the match, please take note.
Gateshead Council statement – 13 December 2024:
Immediate closure for Gateshead Highway
The A167 Gateshead Highway flyover is being shut to all traffic after an inspection by consultant structural engineers indicated a potential risk to safety if it remains open.
The whole of the flyover is being closed this evening, Friday 13 December. The road beneath the flyover will also be closed between the Park Lane roundabout (junction with A184 Felling bypass) and the Five Bridges roundabout (junction with B1426 Sunderland Road).
The two roundabouts below the flyover will remain open, after expert advice from the consultant engineers confirmed it was safe to do so, allowing traffic to continue east/west and access between the A184 Felling bypass and the Tyne Bridge, and to the A1 regionwide.
Gateshead Flyover ClosureThe council is working with neighbouring local authorities to manage traffic as efficiently as we can, and signpost drivers to alternative routes, or to use public transport where possible.
Inspections and monitoring over recent years on the flyover’s condition have indicated that while the concrete was showing some signs of deterioration, the structure could continue to be safely used.
Continuing inspections this week have revealed serious concerns about the structural integrity of sections of the 1960s-built flyover.
Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said: “Public safety has to be our top priority, and so we have acted to shut down the highway immediately.
“Closing these roads is a big decision, and we recognise the impact this will have on the transport network across the whole area.
“The engineers make clear there is a risk to certain sections of the structure continuing to be in use, and hence a risk to the travelling public.
“Monitoring and further inspections will continue to ensure everyone’s safety and determine next steps.
“We will keep you informed and work to minimise disruption as far as possible.”
The next stage of our maintenance checks on the flyover will take place overnight this coming Sunday and Monday (15th and 16th), and into the early hours of Tuesday morning (17th).
This will involve closing the Park Lane roundabout (junction of A167 and A184) on Sunday night from 7pm until 6am on Monday morning.
Then we will be closing the Five Bridges roundabout at the junction of the A167 and B1426 Sunderland Road on Monday night (16th), from 10pm until Tuesday 17th December at 6am.
Full diversion routes will be in place.’
Newcastle United upcoming matches:
Saturday 14 December – Newcastle v Leicester (3pm)
Wednesday 18 December – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm) Sky Sports+ (Carabao Cup)
Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)
Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon
Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)
Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)
Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)
Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)
Sunday 23 February – Newcastle v Forest (Time TBC) Sky Sports