The Gateshead Flyover crisis has deepened after it forced the Tyne and Wear Metro system to be severed in two. It emerged late on Thursday afternoon that the Metro service would have to be shut off between Gateshead Stadium and Monument because of problems caused by the flyover, which was closed last week due to major concerns about its structural integrity.
Engineers are thought to be fearful of the 1960s-built flyover collapsing and the resulting risk that would pose to the underground Metro tunnel and station beneath it.
It leaves Metro trains unable to cross the Tyne and could now cause yet more travel chaos for commuters, businesses, football fans, and Christmas shoppers across the region if the issue is not rapidly resolved.
At this stage it is not known how long the restrictions will have to be in force for, but the situation is known to be serious.
Trains are currently running from Monument station to the Airport and St James, and from Gateshead Stadium towards South Shields and South Hylton – but not to their usual timetable.
Since the flyover was first closed on Friday, 13 December, Metro trains travelling beneath it have had to run at a slower speed. However, specialist engineers have now told operator Nexus to suspend services through that underground section of the network entirely.
News of the latest calamity came just a day after the Metro celebrated the maiden voyage of the first train in its new £362 million fleet.
After that moment of excitement and relief, passengers trying to get home at rush hour on Thursday evening were faced once more with deep frustration and concern about how long this problem will last.
Comments from Nexus
Nexus managing director Cathy Massarella said: “Based upon the information available to us to date, Metro services have been able to operate through the tunnels beneath the flyover, albeit with a speed restriction in place as a precautionary control.
“We’ve continued to closely monitor the situation and having received further specialist advice this afternoon, we have had to immediately suspend services through the tunnels, until we can put in place more thorough controls.
“This is a developing situation, and we will update customers further as soon as we are able to. We’re aware of the significant disruption this will cause, however the safety of our customers and employees is our top priority.
“We will continue to keep customers updated through our website nexus.org.uk, X and the Pop App.”
North East mayor Kim McGuinness said that she was receiving regular updates from Nexus and would support Gateshead Council to find both “urgent and long term solutions” to the flyover.
The future of the elevated section of the A167 remains unclear, though the local authority had confirmed earlier in the day that its preferred option will be to demolish the structure and embark on a regeneration of the surrounding town centre area that would include replacing the road with a new boulevard.
Such a redevelopment project would likely need Government funding support, with previous estimates having suggested that it could cost anywhere between £13 million and £74 million depending on the extent of the works.
However, the council is also continuing to explore whether the road could be partially reopened or will have to remain shut before it is ultimately removed.
A Gateshead Council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service on Thursday evening: “We understand Nexus needing to make this decision tonight and we support their decision. Safety has to be the number one priority and we will work with our partners to try and get the Metro back up and running as soon as we can.”
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