Traffic data gathered after the closure of the Gateshead flyover shows initial signs of motorists heeding warnings to avoid the area.
Council bosses say it is “still early to draw conclusions”, with journey times and traffic volumes varying significantly depending on days, times, and events.
Traffic numbers on the Tyne Bridge, A184 Felling bypass and diverted traffic around the closed flyover have decreased compared to the same routes prior to the closure of the A167 flyover on December 13, last year. While Gateshead Council does not have “comprehensive” data, it believes some drivers have re-routed to the A1 and A19 and avoided central Gateshead “entirely”.
Traffic levels travelling northbound at the Tyne Bridge in the week starting on Monday, December 16, averaged 19,903 vehicles compared to 22,732 in the two weeks before the closure. There was also a slight decline in southbound traffic, falling from 19,047 to 18,431.
Traffic levels on the Tyne Bridge were, however, already down 30% from 2023 to 2024, after the bridge was reduced to one lane in each direction for restoration works.
For A167 traffic, travelling from the south end of the flyover, opposite Whitehall Road, to the Tyne Bridge, the journey time using the diversion established on December 16 was an average of five minutes and 39 seconds. That was an increase of 16% from the two weeks before closure.
This was observed over a 24-hour period and as Gateshead Council explains “some journeys will be longer, some shorter depending on the time of day”.
Gateshead Council closed the A167 flyover on December 13 following the discovery of serious structural concerns with a supporting pillar. The resulting closure sparked transport chaos, including the suspension of Metro services between Monument and Heworth.
Following the installation of an industrial prop below the flyover Metro services resumed on New Year’s Eve. Works to re-enforce the ailing pillar with new concrete are expected to take place later this month as a medium term solution while funding is found to ultimately demolish it.
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