A significant road bridge was shut down in both directions today following an incident on the quayside, causing travel disruptions during the morning rush hour.
The closure of the Tyne Bridge, connecting Newcastle and Gateshead, occurred after the North East Ambulance Service responded to an incident on the quayside at 4.42am. A patient was transported to a hospital for further medical care. The closure led to extensive delays in Gateshead, as reported by Chronicle Live.
The North East Ambulance Service confirmed receiving a distress call at 4.42am regarding an incident on the quayside in Newcastle. Emergency teams, including ambulance crews and Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) members, were dispatched to the scene, with one patient requiring hospital treatment.
The congestion resulting from the bridge closure affected the A167 and surrounding roads, causing heavy traffic buildup around the Park Lane roundabout.
Although the Tyne Bridge has since reopened, the exact cause of its closure remains undisclosed. Delays persist on the A167 and neighboring routes, according to Google Traffic data.
Concerned locals have taken alternate routes to avoid the traffic congestion, anticipating prolonged delays. Reports from the area suggest that a worker involved in bridge maintenance mentioned an individual climbing onto the scaffolding, though law enforcement has yet to confirm the details of the incident.
While the Tyne Tunnels below the River Tyne remain operational, the Tyne Bridge remains inaccessible to traffic. The bridge, spanning the River Tyne and linking Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead, is a critical route in North East England.
Traffic disruptions in Gateshead have extended several miles into Newcastle, impacting daily commuters as documented by Chronicle Live. The closure of the Tyne Bridge, situated on the A167, has led to traffic congestion in the region, with the nature of the incident remaining undisclosed.
Although the closure has caused traffic issues at the Tyne Tunnels on the A19 route, the tunnels themselves are functioning normally. A separate police incident on the A19 has resulted in partial blockages, affecting traffic flow between Jarrow and Howdon Roundabout in Wallsend.