Warning to motorists as bridge to be closed for months as part of Central Motorway works

Further closures are being imposed in Newcastle as part of the GBP9 million improvement works to the A167 Central Motorway

01:00, 21 Apr 2026

Rose Bridge, which runs off Claremont Road and over the Central Motorway in Newcastle Upon Tyne, is going to be closed for 2 months because of the Central Motorway works.(Image: ChronicleLive)

Motorists are set to be hit with further road closures in Newcastle as works to the Central Motorway continue. Teams working on the multi-million improvement works have said work is "progressing well" as further traffic management is announced.[1]

The major route has been undergoing a GBP9 million investment since August 2025, with the motorway reduced to one lane in each direction during the daytime. Engineers are making critical concrete repairs and joint replacements to the elevated viaduct,[2] 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 as the last major maintenance was over 20 years ago. Due to the viaduct's location and the number of slip roads that feed into it, various closures are set to be required.

The road closures are needed to protect the safety of the workforce as the critical repairs get under way.

This includes Rose Bridge, which runs over central motorway, which is closed in one direction until mid-June.

Rose Bridge, which runs off Claremont Road and over the Central Motorway in Newcastle Upon Tyne, is going to be closed for 2 months because of the Central Motorway works.(Image: ChronicleLive)

The slip road from central motorway northbound to the Great North Road, will be fully closed to traffic from April 24 for around two weeks. Various weekday overnight closures of the northbound and southbound carriageway will also be required throughout the duration of the project.

Motorists are being advised to avoid travel through the centre of Newcastle and stay on the major trunk roads and use other cross river crossings such as the A1, A19, Tyne Tunnel and Scotswood Bridge. Christine Herriot, Director of City Operations, Transport & Neighbourhoods at Newcastle City Council[3] said: "Work is progressing well as we future-proof a key part of the city's transport network, which is used by up to 80,000 vehicles a day.

"It is a challenging location to work in, but having closures in place allows us unrestricted access to the works areas, which are above live traffic lanes.

It also allows us to minimise the overall duration of the works and to minimise the cost impact, as well as make it safer for the workforce and the public.

"We recognise that these works are disruptive to the travelling public, particularly with the overnight closures and various slip road closures, but it is important that these works take place to ensure we have robust infrastructure in Newcastle to help keep the city moving."

The funding for the A167 (M) upgrade, is part of a funding package which also includes the Tyne Bridge, which are funded by the UK Government and Newcastle City Council.

The 16-month project is due to be completed by January 2027 and VolkerStevin has been contracted to undertake the work, utilising the specialist expertise of VolkerLaser.

Their team will replace a number of bridge deck joints, whilst also undertaking critical concrete repairs to the viaduct including the soffit and piers of the northbound carriageway.

A cathodic protection system will also be installed as a protective measure against further deterioration, extending the service life of this key structure.

References

1. ^ is "progressing well" as further traffic management is announced. (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
2. ^ Engineers are making critical concrete repairs and joint replacements to the elevated viaduct, (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
3. ^ Newcastle City Council (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)