Press release

Drivers advised of overnight closures on A1 Coal House to Metro Centre as part of Improvement Scheme

The A1 Western Bypass will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am on 17 January and between 18 and 21 January for contraflow and central reservation works. Additional closures are also planned for 14 and 15 February.

The closures are as follows:

17 January - northbound full road closure from J67 Coal House to J72 A694 Derwenthaugh. Southbound full road closure from J69 A184 Gateshead Quays to J67 Coal House.

18- 21 January - north and southbound full carriageway closure between J67 Coal House and J69 A184 Gateshead Quays.

14- 15 February - north and southbound full carriageway closure between J67 Coal House and J69 A184 Gateshead Quays.

During the closures there will be clearly signed diversions in place and road users are advised to allow extra time for their journeys. Each of the closure is subject to change at any time and will be publicised on the Highways Agency website. Further closures will be publicised nearer the time.

Highways Agency Project Manager, Lynne Biddles said:

The works are needed to allow traffic to be moved on to the newly contstructed central reservation lane and for temporary road markings and barriers to be installed.

The works have been planned to minimise disruption and will be put in place only when traffic flows are at their lowest.

Once the major upgrade scheme is complete, 3.98 miles of the A1 will be widened to three lanes in both directions from the Coal House junction up to the Metro Centre junction, not just from Lobley Hill to Dunston.

As well as widening the A1, a new 0.33 mile parallel link road will be built next to the mainline A1, for north and south-bound traffic, between Lobley Hill and Gateshead Quays. This will provide a route for local road users, helping to keep traffic moving on the A1.

More information about the scheme is available on the project pages, via writing to the A1 Coal House to Metro Centre Project Team at Major Projects North, Highways Agency, Lateral, 8 City Walk, Leeds, LS11 9AT, email, or calling the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

Published 14 January 2015