The planned road closures to allow for Newcastle’s New Year’s Eve celebrations have now been lifted after firework displays were cancelled.
A yellow weather warning for high winds prompted Newcastle City Council to call off the planned firework displays which were due to take place at 6pm and midnight. It would have been the first New Year celebrations to include fireworks since the 2019 as previous years have featured a laser show.
The council said: “The forecast has made it clear that continuing would pose risks to those attending, as well as our event teams working on-site.”
It comes after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning across the North East which is in place until 11pm tonight. Forecasters warn that the region could see winds of up to 70mph, as well as some travel disruption.
The Met Office states: “Strong and gusty southwesterly winds will develop across southern Scotland and northeast England on Tuesday morning, veering to westerly during the evening. Gusts of 50 to 60 mph are expected, perhaps reaching 70 mph in a few exposed areas, and this may lead to some travel disruption.”
Newcastle City Council have apologised to those who had planned to attend the celebrations in Newcastle and wished everyone a “very safe and happy New Year.”
The council has since confirmed that the planned road closures on the Quayside have now been lifted as a result of the cancellation.
Closures were due to be in place at the Quayside from 4pm on New Year’s Eve covering the area between the junction at Sandhill and the traffic lights at the junction between Sandgate and Milk Market. Access to the Quayside via Lombard Street, King Street and Broad Chare was also due to be closed off.
A Newcastle City Council spokesperson said: “Due to the cancellation of today’s New Year’s Eve fireworks, the planned road closures on the Quayside have now been lifted. This will allow for normal traffic flow in the area, and we encourage everyone to proceed with caution.”