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4 days ago
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Major travel issues face many Newcastle United fans heading to the Newcastle v Brentford match.
Friday night saw Gateshead Council release a statement (see below) announcing the immediate closure of the A167 Gateshead Highway flyover, which leads to the Tyne Bridge.
A stretch of road below the flyover also closed.
For countless Newcastle United fans travelling from the south, this presented extra issues to get across the river for Newcastle v Leicester last Saturday.
Clearly no quick fix, if indeed there is one at all when it comes to the safety problems with this flyover, so these extra issues/obstacles are set to remain in place for the foreseeable, when it comes to upcoming NUFC home matches.
If you are thinking about getting the train instead, if travelling from south of the river, then you have a few options after the match.
Newcastle v Brentford is a 7.45pm kick-off and no extra time will be played, either decided in the 90 minutes (plus added) time, or straight to penalties if a draw.
Trains that you could potentially get after the match…
10.01pm – A TransPennine Express which calls at Durham, Darlington, Northallerton and York.
10.23pm – A Northern Trains one which calls at Chester-le-Street, Durham and Darlington.
10.57pm – An LNER train calling at Durham, Darlington, Northallerton, York and Leeds.
Gateshead Council statement – 13 December 2024:
Immediate closure for Gateshead Highway
The A167 Gateshead Highway flyover is being shut to all traffic after an inspection by consultant structural engineers indicated a potential risk to safety if it remains open.
The whole of the flyover is being closed this evening, Friday 13 December. The road beneath the flyover will also be closed between the Park Lane roundabout (junction with A184 Felling bypass) and the Five Bridges roundabout (junction with B1426 Sunderland Road).
The two roundabouts below the flyover will remain open, after expert advice from the consultant engineers confirmed it was safe to do so, allowing traffic to continue east/west and access between the A184 Felling bypass and the Tyne Bridge, and to the A1 regionwide.
The council is working with neighbouring local authorities to manage traffic as efficiently as we can, and signpost drivers to alternative routes, or to use public transport where possible.
Inspections and monitoring over recent years on the flyover’s condition have indicated that while the concrete was showing some signs of deterioration, the structure could continue to be safely used.
Continuing inspections this week have revealed serious concerns about the structural integrity of sections of the 1960s-built flyover.
Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said: “Public safety has to be our top priority, and so we have acted to shut down the highway immediately.
“Closing these roads is a big decision, and we recognise the impact this will have on the transport network across the whole area.
“The engineers make clear there is a risk to certain sections of the structure continuing to be in use, and hence a risk to the travelling public.
“Monitoring and further inspections will continue to ensure everyone’s safety and determine next steps.
“We will keep you informed and work to minimise disruption as far as possible.”
The next stage of our maintenance checks on the flyover will take place overnight this coming Sunday and Monday (15th and 16th), and into the early hours of Tuesday morning (17th).
This will involve closing the Park Lane roundabout (junction of A167 and A184) on Sunday night from 7pm until 6am on Monday morning.
Then we will be closing the Five Bridges roundabout at the junction of the A167 and B1426 Sunderland Road on Monday night (16th), from 10pm until Tuesday 17th December at 6am.
Full diversion routes will be in place.’
Newcastle United upcoming matches:
Wednesday 18 December – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm) Sky Sports+ (Carabao Cup)
Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)
Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon
Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)
Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)
Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)
Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)
Sunday 23 February – Newcastle v Forest (Time TBC) Sky Sports

 
