Flyover demolition will not start until March
BBCThe demolition of a crumbling flyover will not start until March at the earliest, council bosses have said.
The Gateshead Flyover has stood empty for more than a year after closing in December 2024 over fears it could collapse.
It was announced in October that the structure would start coming down early this year and be largely demolished by May.
However, Gateshead Council has now confirmed the derelict Computer House building will need to be flattened first for better access to the central section of the flyover, with work there expected to be completed in March.
Scaffolding is being put up on the former office block, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
The Labour-run local authority said work had to be done "extremely carefully" due to the presence of asbestos.
Once Computer House comes down, contractors would then move "straight on" to the flyover demolition, the council said.
LDRSA spokesperson said preparatory work was under way, including the removal of traffic signs and getting the road surface under the flyover structure ready for the installation of props.
"Contractors will also be installing extra monitoring equipment in the Metro tunnels, to ensure the safe running of the trains while demolition progresses at ground level," the spokesperson added.
A full timescale for the demolition of the flyover is yet to be announced.
It also remains unclear whether Tyne and Wear Metro services travelling beneath it will need to be suspended during any stage of the works.
Trains were unable to travel between Heworth and Monument in December 2024 shortly after the flyover's emergency closure was put in place.
