Gateshead Flyover demolition edges one step closer thanks to nearby building
It has caused travel disruption across Tyne and Wear for months, but the Gateshead Flyover is another step closer to coming down.
The demolition of a building near the Gateshead Flyover has ushered in the next step for the removal of the now infamous structure.
Previously carrying thousands of cars across Gateshead and towards both Newcastle and wider Tyneside each day, the structure closed in December 2024 after inspections revealed significant safety concerns and structural risks.
Early April saw a nearby building demolished, which it is claimed will allow for better access to the flyover when the time comes for its own demolition.
The office building, known as Computer House, was torn down earlier this month with the team behind the Flyover demolition set to start their work.
The closure of the Flyover in 2024 saw travel issues across the North East, with roads around the structure closed and Metro services unable to run between South Tyneside and Newcastle.
Gateshead Council has said they will look to minimise the impact of the demolition on travellers. The start of the demolition will start in the centre of the flyover, meaning the busy roundabouts at each end are able to continue running as usual.
Additional concrete was poured around two pillars to ensure the Tyne and Wear Metro can remain in operation as its line runs under the flyover, although it is not yet known if the system may need to temporarily close at some point within the six month demolition process.
The Gateshead Flyover was built in the 1960s. In the 2024 inspection workers found deterioration inside one of the site’s concrete pillars.