Newcastle drivers warned of further restrictions on A167 Central Motorway as work continues
The upgrade will see further lane restrictions and overnight closures, as a result of the major Newcastle City Council scheme
16:14, 02 Oct 2025
View ImageNewcastle's A167 Central Motorway, which will be restricted further due to upgrade work (Image: Newcastle City Council. )
Drivers in Newcastle[1] have been warned of further restrictions on the A167 Central Motorway, as work continues on busy road. The upgrade will see further lane restrictions and overnight closures, as a result of the major Newcastle City Council[2] scheme.
Starting on 6 October, the Central Motorway will be reduced to one lane in each direction during the daytime, and this will last for the next 16 months.
Various overnight closures, including key slips roads, will also be required, as part of a ?9million investment into a key part of the city[3]'s transport network.
Engineers are currently making critical concrete repairs and joint replacements to the elevated viaduct, which runs from the Great North Road to the New Bridge Street roundabout in the city centre.
The works are needed to futureproof the structure, with the last major maintenance taking place over 20 years ago.
So far, lane restrictions and weekday overnight closures have been in place on the northbound carriageway since mid-August, with minimal impact on the public.
However, with the additional lane closure, heavy congestion[4] is expected at its peak, and people are advised to plan ahead, allow more time, and use public transport if possible.
People travelling across the region are also advised to avoid travel through the centre of Newcastle and stay on the major trunk roads, using other cross river crossings such as the A1, A19[5], Tyne Tunnel[6] and Scotswood Bridge.
The funding for the A167 upgrade, is part of a funding package which also includes the Tyne Bridge[7], and is jointly funded by the UK government, and at a local level, Newcastle City Council.
Councillor Juna Sathian, responsible for transport and climate in the city, said: "These are vital works to ensure that Newcastle has robust transport infrastructure on one of the busiest routes in the city.
"With the Tyne Bridge undergoing restoration works which has reduced it to one lane in each direction, we have seen more people reroute which has greatly reduced the impact of the current restrictions on Central Motorway.
"However with the A167 reduced to one lane in each direction from next week , we are expecting heavy congestion at peak times and are asking drivers to plan ahead, allow more time for your journey and use public transport where possible.
Article continues below"As we have set out previously, Newcastle is open for business during these works, and we will continue to coordinate with other authorities on other roadworks schemes taking place across the region."
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References
- ^ Newcastle (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Newcastle City Council (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ city (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ heavy congestion (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ A19 (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Tyne Tunnel (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Tyne Bridge (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ sign up to receive it here (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)