Flyover demolition clears way for Gateshead's future

A six-month demolition programme has reached a milestone with the final section of a landmark Tyneside flyover brought down on schedule.

The last of the Gateshead Highway flyover’s 27 spans was demolished today (September 29) by teams from BAM and specialist contractor Thompsons of Prudhoe.

Major demolition work began in April following preparations to protect surrounding infrastructure, including busy roundabouts and two Metro tunnels.

Alongside the 27 spans, contractors have removed four access ramps and the large abutment at the southern end of the 1960s structure.

Around 30,000 tonnes of concrete and steel made up the flyover, equivalent in weight to approximately 144 Angels of the North or four Eiffel Towers.

Jim Smyth, senior agent for BAM, added: “Our priority throughout the project has been to demolish the flyover in a safe and controlled manner, while keeping disruption to local residents, businesses and road users to a minimum.

“Thanks to the huge amount of planning, coordination and collaboration between Thompsons of Prudhoe, Gateshead Council and our highly skilled project team, we’ve successfully brought down all 27 spans of the flyover safely and on schedule. 

“We’d like to thank the local community for their patience and support while the demolition has been taking place. 

“There is still work to do to clear the site and reinstate the surrounding infrastructure, but reaching this milestone marks an important moment for the project and for the future of the area.”

While demolition of the structure is now complete, contractors have around three months of work remaining to clear rubble and reinstate road infrastructure and other features around nearby roads and roundabouts.

No decision has yet been made on the future of the road that previously ran beneath the flyover.

Its surface has been significantly affected by the demolition work and is not currently suitable for reopening, with kerbs being installed at Five Bridges roundabout as an interim measure.

Gateshead Council is considering options and costs for the wider area, including potentially reopening the existing road corridor in some form.

The authority sees removal of the flyover as a “once in lifetime” opportunity to support wider regeneration of Gateshead town centre.

Public engagement is planned over the coming months, with residents, businesses and other stakeholders invited to help shape proposals for the area.

Dale Owens, chief executive of Gateshead Council, added: “This is a day to thank all those who have played a part in this demolition programme – it’s been a phenomenal achievement to bring the flyover down in under six months.

“We are also grateful for people’s patience with the disruption it caused. 

“We know it’s not been an easy process for local residents, businesses and drivers – but people have been incredibly supportive.

“Now we want to look ahead to what this programme means for Gateshead, and the opportunities it opens up.

“We have ambitions to hugely increase the number of homes in and around our town centre, and to make this a place where people want to live, and where they can enjoy a vibrant leisure and retail offer.

“We are already working with some major developers to bring other town centre sites forward, and plans for the area around the flyover and beyond will come together over the coming months. 

“We will be consulting with everyone in Gateshead on those plans.”

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