GANNON - A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO TRANSFORM THE TOWN

GATESHEAD can seize the “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to radically overhaul its town centre after the demolition of a crumbling flyover, a council leader insists.

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Council chiefs say that the flyover’s removal will pave the way for a major regeneration project featuring “accessible public spaces, safe walkable streets, and green areas” that could breathe much-needed life into Gateshead High Street.

But visions of such a redevelopment date back as far as 2008 have never come to fruition.

And, while Gateshead Council has committed up to £18m and North East mayor Kim McGuinness a further £2.5m for the demolition works, there is no such funding in place for the regeneration at this stage and there have been repeated warnings that Government help will be required.