A COUNCIL boss has said a controversial decision to close a section of a flyover caused “chaos” and admitted the authority got it wrong. 

On Wednesday Gateshead Council announced the flyover will reopen to north bound traffic next week as soon as it is “practical and safe” to enable further consultation and analysis of traffic flow data to take place.

The move follows days of frustration as motorists endured long queues after work on alterations to the road and cycle network in Gateshead town centre started on Friday and saw the northbound part of the flyover closed off to motor vehicles.

Now, council leader Martin Gannon admitted the closure of the flyover caused chaos, but he said the authority was working to a tight time-scale.

He said: “How  this occurred was we knew after consultation and directions from the Government on air quality proposals was that the Government’s preferred option was a Clean Air Zone charging scheme across the bridge.

“The bridge needs £40m of repairs and will have to be closed down to one lane either way and a bus lane over two years.

“Whilst that work is taking place we would be hopeful people would change their car or change their travel patterns, reducing use of the bridge.

“Covid-19 comes along and the Government says whilst traffic is down it wants to encourage people on to cycles and it makes money available for experimental schemes.”

Transport minister, Grant Shapps, invited councils in May to bid for a £250m emergency active travel fund that could be used to develop infrastructure and relieve pressure on public transport.

He said: “Collectively seven North East councils were issued £16m which has got to be spent within 28 days.

“I don’t think in any normal circumstances we would have introduced the changes without any consultation.

“That fact was that Government money had to be spent within 28 days, we did too much, too quickly, and I accept that it caused chaos this week. For that I apologise, we got this wrong.”