Gateshead’s flyover demolition will take about a year, causing more traffic disruptions as council plans unfold for redevelopment.
The council has shut it down for over a month now due to safety concerns. They’re hoping to finally move forward with plans to redevelop that part of town.
Martin Gannon, the council leader, mentioned that while reopening the flyover isn’t completely off the table, it’s likely to be demolished instead. Initially, they thought it would take two years, but now they believe it could be done in about a year.
Gannon is eager to get things moving quickly to minimize disruption. He said, “It will be complex work, but we want to keep everyone informed about what’s happening.”
They’ve already put in temporary supports to keep the flyover stable for now. But even if it’s deemed safe again, the council still wants to tear it down.
Plans to demolish the flyover have been around since 2008, but funding has always been an issue. Gannon defended the council’s maintenance of the structure, saying they did regular inspections to avoid any major problems.
He acknowledged that the sudden closure was unexpected but emphasized that it prevented potential injuries. Gannon also faced calls for his resignation but stated he’s committed to seeing this through.
The government hasn’t yet promised funding for the demolition, but the North East mayor is looking to help with regional funds. Estimates for the demolition costs vary widely, so it’s still up in the air.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation unfolds.
