A1 roadworks in Gateshead to continue until spring to fix defects on new bridge

Lane closures remain in force over the newly-built Allerdene Bridge, which is causing traffic congestion on the Birtley to Coal House section of the A1

15:42, 02 Sep 2025

It could take until spring 2026 or longer to fix defects on a newly-built motorway bridge that is causing ongoing disruption on a congested stretch of the A1. The new Allerdene Bridge was constructed as part of National Highways' GBP220 million road widening project on the Birtley to Coal House section of the A1[1], near Gateshead[2].

But it emerged last year that it was one of a number of structures suffering from welding defects[3] that steelwork contractor Severfield has reported to authorities. Those problems have meant that National Highways has been unable to fully remove long-running roadworks which have been frustrating drivers since 2021, despite the rest of the upgrades being finished.

The 3,400-tonne road bridge runs over the East Coast Main Line and was opened in September 2023, but there are still lane closures in force to restrict the amount of vehicles running over it - sparking complaints that it has become a bottleneck[4] as traffic is funnelled into the narrower section of the motorway.

In a letter to North East mayor Kim McGuinness, which has been seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, National Highways estimates that completion of the necessary repairs will take until next spring - subject to bad weather or any other unexpected delays.

The Labour[5] mayor wrote to the transport body in August to call for an update on the scheme, saying it was "essential" that a section of road used by around 80,000 vehicles per day is fully opened as soon as safely possible. In response, National Highways said it was "targeting completion in spring 2026, noting that this is subject to inclement weather and any unforeseen engineering challenges".

Its director of enhancements, Dean Sporn, added: "Safety remains our top priority. The ongoing works at Allerdene Bridge are critical to ensuring the long-term integrity of the structure.

We recognise the importance of fully reopening the route and we are committed to minimising disruption wherever possible.

"We have almost completed installation of the scaffold required to access and improve the underside of the bridge. The towers flanking the railway are fully built, and construction of the deck - forming the working platform beneath the bridge - is progressing steadily. This phase necessitates access to the East Coast Main Line, available only during restricted overnight windows on Saturday nights when train services are suspended and power isolated.

We continue to work in close coordination with Network Rail and train operators to ensure safe and efficient delivery.

"Given the complexity of the structure and limited access windows, the construction of the deck will require time. However, once installed, it will enable unrestricted progress on remedial works. We anticipate that traffic management measures can be lifted upon completion of the works, ahead of scaffold removal.

In parallel, we have commenced remedial works on the underside of the bridge outside of the Network Rail boundary, and these should complete this autumn but won't allow the full opening of the A1."

It comes after National Highways stated on its website in August that lane closures would still be needed for "months rather than weeks".

Ms McGuinness told the LDRS on Tuesday: "National Highways have promised to deliver for the North East by spring, and that's the promise I'll be holding them to account for."

The cost to Severfield of the remedial works across 12 defective bridges built for National Highways and HS2 schemes has been reported as GBP43.4 million.

References

1. ^ Birtley to Coal House section of the A1 (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
2. ^ Gateshead (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
3. ^ a number of structures suffering from welding defects (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
4. ^ sparking complaints that it has become a bottleneck (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
5. ^ Labour (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)