Gateshead’s council leader shares insights on the flyover’s closure, funding struggles, and his commitment to the town’s future amid calls for his resignation
The A167 flyover was shut down on December 13 due to crumbling concrete. It’s a real concern, and now the council plans to demolish it. But how they’ll fund the redevelopment is still a mystery.
This week, council leader Martin Gannon had a chat with the Local Democracy Reporting Service. He talked about the closure, the disruption it’s causing, and his future in politics.
So, what’s the plan for the flyover? Gannon mentioned they’ll start strengthening two pillars soon. He couldn’t give a specific timeline but hinted at demolition being the likely route.
He joked about how social media users think it could be done in a weekend. Initially, they thought it would take two years, but now it might be done in a year. Still, it’s going to be a tricky job.
Gannon explained that the closure was unexpected. They were maintaining and inspecting the flyover regularly. It was costly, but they were on top of it.
He revealed that a detailed inspection was planned for spring, but issues were found in December. Thankfully, their diligence prevented any serious accidents.
People are curious how it went from safe to shut down so fast. Gannon said previous inspections showed no need for restrictions. They had a contingency plan ready, but communication fell short on that day.
As for the redevelopment plans, they’ve been on hold for over 15 years. Gannon blames a lack of government support for the delays. They’ve submitted funding bids but haven’t seen results.
He mentioned that local councils are stuck in a bidding war for funds. It’s frustrating when other projects get support while Gateshead struggles.
Gannon said they’ll pay for the demolition if the government doesn’t step in. He’s not keen on using taxpayer money for it, but they’re prepared if needed.
He’s aware of the pressure on the government, but he believes they should invest in growing the economy. However, making a case for £20 million just to demolish a road is tough.
When asked about resigning, Gannon said he takes responsibility seriously. He’s not planning to step down and feels committed to resolving the flyover issue.
Over 300 people have signed a petition for his resignation, citing neglect of the flyover. Gannon has been in leadership roles for years, but he’s determined to stay on and fix things.
