June 2018 Update
Killingworth Road Bridge Renewal and Highway Improvement Scheme Road re-opening delayed until early 2019.
Due to further complications encountered on site, there will be an extended delay to the re-opening of Killingworth Road. We expect the road to re-open in early 2019.
As part of our multi-million pound improvement project, Northern Gas Networks are required to move three major gas pipes which supply more than 35,000 homes and businesses with a safe and reliable supply of gas.
The gas diversion works are complex and have been hampered by the discovery of asbestos on two occasions, relocating a high-pressure water main and ground stabilisation work to protect the Metro line, all of which have impacted on the project timeline.
Once these works completed, we will undertake essential earthworks and structural work adjacent to the Metro bridge before re-opening the road.
We apologise for this extended delay and we would like to reassure residents that we, and Northern Gas Networks, are doing everything we can to get the road re-opened to two-way traffic in early 2019.
We know that an extended closure is hugely disappointing for commuters and residents but we will continue to look at our mitigation measures to keep the network moving.
Killingworth Road in Newcastle will be closed until early 2019 as part of a £13.5m investment project to widen the road and install a new Metro bridge at a well-known pinch point.
We worked with Nexus to install a new Metro bridge and widen the road which leads on to Haddricks Mill roundabouts in South Gosforth, to reduce congestion, smooth traffic flow and increase safety to one of the main commuter routes into Newcastle.
Now that the new bridge is in place, we now need to complete major utility works before we can build the new wider carriageway. Northern Gas Networks need to divert three gas mains away from the section of road due for improvement. This is the most complex part of the scheme and will take several months to complete. Only once this work is complete can we re-open the road.
During this part of the project, asbestos was discovered which had to be safely removed before work could continue and there was also issues with an old water pipe which Northumbrian Water had to divert which has resulted in a 12-week delay to the project.
The councils, Nexus, bus operators and other partners are working together to minimise disruption and diversions will be in place. Plans include timings on traffic signals tweaked across the network to smooth traffic flow, temporary bus lanes to prioritise buses through key junctions, with additional buses and pricing incentives to encourage more people to use public transport. We will also close Salters Bridge to reduce traffic through residential areas.
This work is part of our Re-newcastle programme of investment into our Newcastle’s highways and key junctions – the biggest investment in our city’s roads in over 30 years.
New bridge installation.
Click here for our leaflet (pdf 4.1MB).
More info on:
Local access – walking and cycling
Bus diversion information
Metro information
Travelling by car
What we’re doing to keep Newcastle moving during the roadworks
Project updates
Here’s Cllr Ainsley telling us more about the works.
Email updateme@newcastle.gov.uk to keep up to date with all of the latest developments. North Tyneside residents can email updateNT@newcastle.gov.uk to get information from Newcastle and North Tyneside councils.
Arriva Bus routes and timetables affected by the works:
Service 555 Quorum Shuttle Bus
Stagecoach Bus routes and timatables affected by the works
Click here to hear about a new £10 Saver Ticket you can receive on Stagecoach tickets for the duration of the works.
For a full update on all Stagecoach Buses Click here