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Snarl-up begins on A1 as major roadworks begin

Jul 26 2009 by Sam Wood, Sunday Sun

SNARLED traffic caused long tailbacks on the A1 yesterday, during the first day of major roadworks in Gateshead.

A1 traffic

Revellers heading to and from Ladies’ Day at Newcastle’s Gosforth Park racecourse and the Sunderland Airshow were caught in jams in a grim forewarning of the chaos which could be in store.

Commuters are holding their breath for tomorrow, with the first test of the roadworks during rush hour. One traffic expert this week predicted the worst jams for 10 years in the North East.

The works promise weeks of misery as the southbound carriageway in Gateshead between the Team Valley roundabout and Eighton Lodge roundabout, beside the Angel of the North, is reduced to one lane and northbound is restricted to two narrow lanes.

Yesterday, while north-bound was flowing more or less without issue, there were two mile tailbacks heading south.

The essential roadworks, to reinforce Allerdene Bridge, have a 40mph speed limit and speed cameras are monitoring both sections.

Warning signs about the repairs and delays start miles back, with signs suggesting alternative routes.

At first light yesterday, teams of workers arrived and parked up within the cones to start strengthening the bridge which crosses over the east coast main railway line.

Early yesterday there was a hint of the potential chaos the roadworks are likely to cause on this major route.

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