Pledge for increased flyover safety checks

MORE regular safety checks for the condemned Gateshead flyover have been promised, after a vehicle was hit by falling debris from the crumbling structure.

- By DANIEL HOLLAND

The Park Lane roundabout underneath the closed A167 Gateshead Highway flyover had to be shut for 12 hours on Tuesday to allow engineers to carry out concrete inspections on the elevated road.

It came after a driver reported that their vehicle had been damaged earlier in the day, after which debris was found on the road beneath the flyover.

The 1960s-built structure has been shut since last December, due to fears that it could be at risk of collapse because of crumbling concrete, and it is due for demolition.