One week gone...just another 25 or so left
Reporter A week on on from the start of major roadworks at one of Tyneside’s busiest junctions and traffic appears to be moving freely - if slowly.
Concerns had been raised about huge delays triggered by the start of the maintenance works at Heworth roundabout in Gateshead.
Shields Road through Pelaw has been closed entirely, causing concerns from independent businesses, as has the B1426 turn-off into Heworth.
However traffic has generally been moving more freely than expected along the Felling bypass, despite the road being down to one lane in both directions.
It is hoped that many motorists have heeded warnings and are either leaving more time for their journeys or taking alternative routes.
David Mason, 63, of South Shields, uses the route most days.
He said: “Because the roundabout has effectively been turned into a straight road, you just drive through it now without having to stop.
“The problems I’m facing now are coming up from Shields towards White Mare Pool, that’s the bottleneck.”
The Heworth works have been in the pipeline for several months and, after repeated delays, finally got going last Sunday.
Essential improvements to the bridges which suspend the roundabout above the Metro line means six months of reduced traffic flow on the busy route.
Engineers raised serious concern after they detected water seeping into the bridge structures, which could cause rusting to metal supports leading to irreparable damage.
Danielle Morris, 42, of Boldon, said: “I feel for those living in Pelaw and Heworth but I’ve managed to get over the junction without too many problems, although it is still very busy.”
Gateshead Council said on average more than 42,000 cars use the route every day but the level of disruption appears to have been less than people had initially feared.
Has the Heworth closure been as bad as you thought? Contact us at ec.news@ncjmedia.co.uk or tweet us @ChronicleLive