Frustrations over Gateshead Flyover

The North East mayor’s offer to help pay for the demolition of the closed Gateshead Flyover has angered neighbouring council chiefs.

Transcript

00:00The North East Mayor's offer to help pay for the demolition of the closed Gateshead flyover

00:04has angered neighbouring council chiefs.

00:06Kim McGuinness has pledged that she would commit regional funds to help knock down the A167 flyover,

00:12which has been shut since mid-December due to structural concerns.

00:16The Labour Mayor has warned that Tyneside can't afford to wait for the government to

00:19decide if it will put money towards a bigger redevelopment of the area and town centre.

00:24Senior politicians in both Durham and Northumberland have now spoken out against

00:28the prospect of the North East Combined Authority effectively bailing out Gateshead Council.

00:32They have complained that doing so could divert cash secured through the North East

00:36devolution deal away from other regional priorities and risks,

00:39setting a precedent for the council's asking the Mayor to deal with their own road repair issues.

00:44Past estimates from 2019 suggested that removing the A167 flyover and regenerating its surroundings

00:51could cost anywhere from £13 million to £74 million, depending on the ambition of the project,

00:57though those prices will likely have increased since.