North East Transport Links Under Scrutiny After Gateshead Flyover Closure

The North East wants to check roads and bridges. They hope to avoid another flyover shutdown. Leaders will fund an investigation. It covers important highways infrastructure condition. This follows the A167 flyover’s closure in December. It shut because of collapse fears. That flyover might stay closed until demolition.

The flyover was built in the 1960s. Other roads are also causing concern. The Tyne Bridge gets its first big update in twenty years, but money for its refurbishment remains uncertain. This project also includes the Central Motorway.

The Redheugh Bridge has crumbling concrete. The Swing Bridge cannot open due to mechanical failures from five years ago. The Allerdene Bridge also has welding issues; this bridge is newly-built on the A1 in Gateshead.

Officials want to fix things before they worsen to avoid costly, disruptive repairs. The North East Combined Authority (NECA) will vote in March to fund a project assessing key highways. This data guides future investments and informs funding for local councils. These councils are in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and Durham.

Jonathan Bailes wants proactive repairs and says funding has stayed flat since 2019. At the same time, inflation increased costs. Kim McGuinness offered funds to demolish the Gateshead Flyover, which angered other councils. Durham and Northumberland leaders complained, feeling it was not her role to “bail out” Gateshead, as Gateshead Council manages that road.

Colin Ferguson wants accountability and wants to ensure councils use funds correctly. Dawn Welsh wants to avoid using funds to support local failures.

Richard Dodd wants a fair distribution of maintenance money. This follows disputes over the Gateshead funding. Bailes confirmed no funds have been committed for the A167 flyover demolition.

Welsh noted a past critic of the North East mayor, Martin Gannon, now requests mayoral funds. John Eagle said she should not use the meeting for politics.