A1 Birtley to Coal House
Traffic on this busy section of the A1 is congested, especially during peak hours – making journeys unreliable. The number of vehicles using the road will increase with new housing and employment developments planned for the area, so road improvements are needed.
Latest updates
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23 December 2024
Winter 2024 update
We have taken a further step towards completion with the removal of most of the traffic management.
Over recent weeks you will have noticed that we have started to remove the traffic management and open the new lanes. The scheme is making good progress and this has allowed us to open the new lanes ahead of schedule.
Allerdene Bridge Replacement
A new bridge carrying traffic over the East Coast Mainline was installed and opened to traffic in September 2023. Demolition of the old bridge continues and is expected to finish by Spring 2025. Engineering work beneath the new bridge is ongoing, requiring reduced capacity over a one-mile stretch in both directions.
North Dene Footbridge Installation
A new, longer, and more accessible footbridge was installed between junctions 65 (Birtley) and 66 (Eighton Lodge) after the previous structure was removed in September 2022 to allow for carriageway widening.
The new lanes between junctions 65 and 67 are now open in both directions, with original speed limits reinstated: 50mph northbound from junction 65 and the national speed limit southbound from near Smithy Lane overbridge.
Our Project Manager Helen Burrow said:
"We are delighted to have completed the majority of the Birtley to Coal House scheme ahead of schedule, opening new lanes and junction improvements before Christmas.
“We thank road users for their patience while engineering work on the new Allerdene Bridge continues.”
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02 December 2024
Latest December overnight (8pm to 6am) closures
Monday 2 December
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed northbound between junction 65 and junction 67
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 68 and junction 67
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed southbound between junction 67 and junction 65
Junction 67 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 66 Inner roundabout ring closed
Tuesday 3 December
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed northbound between junction 65 and junction 67
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 68 and junction 67
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed southbound between junction 67 and junction 65
Junction 67 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 66 Inner roundabout ring closed
Wednesday 4 December
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed northbound between junction 65 and junction 67
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 68 and junction 67
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed southbound between junction 67 and junction 65
Junction 67 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 66 Inner roundabout ring closed
Thursday 5 December
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed northbound between junction 65 and junction 67
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 68 and junction 67
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed southbound between junction 67 and junction 65
Junction 67 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 66 Inner roundabout ring closed
Friday 6 December
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed northbound between junction 65 and junction 67
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 68 and junction 67
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed southbound between junction 67 and junction 65
Junction 67 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 66 Inner roundabout ring closed
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December
No planned works
Monday 9 December
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 fully closed northbound between junction 65 to junction 68
Junction 67 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 66 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 67 north side of roundabout closed
Tuesday 10 December
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 71 and junction 69
A1 fully closed southbound between junction 69 to junction 65
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed northbound between junction 65 and junction 67
Junction 67 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 66 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 67 north side of roundabout closed
A1 northbound junction 66 closed, leave at junction 66 exit slip and rejoin at junction 66 entry slip
Wednesday 11 December
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 71 and junction 69
A1 fully closed southbound between junction 69 to junction 65
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed northbound between junction 65 and junction 67
Junction 67 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 66 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 67 north side of roundabout closed
A1 northbound junction 66 closed, leave at junction 66 exit slip and rejoin at junction 66 entry slip
Thursday 12 December
No planned works
Friday 13 December
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 fully closed northbound between junction 65 to junction 68
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 68 and junction 67
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed southbound between junction 67 and junction 65
Junction 67 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 66 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 67 south side of roundabout closed
A1 northbound junction 66 closed, leave at junction 66 exit slip and rejoin at junction 66 entry slip
Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December
No planned works
Monday 16 December
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed northbound between junction 65 and junction 67
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 68 and junction 67
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed southbound between junction 67 and junction 65
Junction 67 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 66 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 67 north side of roundabout closed
Junction 66 southbound exit slip road closed
Tuesday 17 December
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed northbound between junction 65 and junction 67
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 68 and junction 67
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed southbound between junction 67 and junction 65
Junction 67 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 66 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 67 north side of roundabout closed
Junction 66 southbound exit slip road closed
Wednesday 18 December
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed northbound between junction 65 and junction 68
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 68 and junction 67
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed southbound between junction 67 and junction 65
Junction 67 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 66 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 67 south side of roundabout closed
Thursday 19 December
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed northbound between junction 65 and junction 68
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 68 and junction 67
A1 lane 1 and 2 closed southbound between junction 67 and junction 65
Junction 67 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 66 Inner roundabout ring closed
Junction 67 south side of roundabout closed
Friday 20 to Tuesday 31 December
No planned road closures
Please note that we will be working off network to demolish the old Allerdene Bridge over Christmas Day and Boxing Day
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21 November 2024
Latest closure information - November 2024
Thursday 21 November
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 71 and junction 69
A1 fully closed southbound between junction 69 to junction 65
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 67
A1 northbound junction 67 closed, leave at junction 67 exit slip and rejoin at junction 67 entry slip
Junction 66 north side of roundabout closedFriday 22 November
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 71 and junction 69
A1 fully closed southbound between junction 69 to junction 65
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 67
A1 northbound junction 67 closed, leave at junction 67 exit slip and rejoin at junction 67 entry slip
Junction 66 north side of roundabout closedSaturday 23 November
No planned worksSunday 24 November
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 fully closed northbound between junction 65 to junction 68
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 68 and junction 67
A1 lane 2 closed southbound between junction 67 and junction 65Monday 25 November
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 fully closed northbound between junction 65 to junction 68
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 68 and junction 67
A1 lane 2 closed southbound between junction 67 and junction 65
A1 southbound junction 66 closed, leave at junction 66 exit slip and rejoin at junction 66 entry slipTuesday 26 November
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 fully closed northbound between junction 65 to junction 68
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 68 and junction 67
A1 lane 2 closed southbound between junction 67 and junction 65
A1 southbound junction 66 closed, leave at junction 66 exit slip and rejoin at junction 66 entry slipWednesday 27 November
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 fully closed northbound between junction 65 to junction 68
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 68 and junction 67
A1 lane 2 closed southbound between junction 67 and junction 65
A1 southbound junction 66 closed, leave at junction 66 exit slip and rejoin at junction 66 entry slipThursday 28 November
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 fully closed northbound between junction 65 to junction 68
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 68 and junction 67
A1 lane 2 closed southbound between junction 67 and junction 65
A1 southbound junction 66 closed, leave at junction 66 exit slip and rejoin at junction 66 entry slipFriday 29 November
A1 lane 2 closed northbound between junction 63 and junction 65
A1 fully closed northbound between junction 65 to junction 68
A1 lane 3 and 2 closed southbound between junction 68 and junction 67
A1 lane 2 closed southbound between junction 67 and junction 65
A1 southbound junction 66 closed, leave at junction 66 exit slip and rejoin at junction 66 entry slipSaturday 30 November
No planned works -
14 October 2024
Demolition of the old Allerdene Bridge
We are about to begin the next phase of the A1 Birtley to Coal House improvement scheme. This vital project is part of the largest investment in road infrastructure in the region for a generation.
From Saturday, 19 October, we will begin demolishing the old Allerdene Bridge. The work will take place every Saturday night from midnight until around 7am on Sunday mornings and will continue until Spring 2025. In addition to this, there will be 7 periods of 24-hour working (details below).
The bridge crosses the East Coast Mainline, which is used by passenger and freight trains linking Scotland and the North East to the rest of the UK. We are working closely with Network Rail to ensure this demolition is completed safely and with as little disruption as possible.
Why is the work happening at night?
We can only carry out the demolition at night, when trains aren’t running. The process will begin after the last train on Saturday night and finish before the first train on Sunday morning. This work is essential for safety and must follow a specific plan. Please note, the activity will be noisy and may cause local disturbance.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day demolition
We would like to give you advance notice of major demolition activity on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, when we will start removing the central structure of the old bridge. This will be much louder than previous stages, and we will be working 24 hours a day during this period. We understand this could impact holiday plans, and we are providing this early notification so you can make arrangements if necessary.
Following Christmas, there will be additional 24-hour demolition sessions on the dates outlined below.
Key demolition dates
Saturday night only (midnight Saturday to 7am Sunday)
- 19 October to 21 December
- 4 January to 1 February
24-hour working
- Midnight Wednesday 25 December – 6am Friday 27 December
- Midnight Saturday 8 February – 6am Monday 10 February 2025
- Midnight Saturday 15 February – 6am Monday 17 February 2025
- Midnight Saturday 22 February – 6am Monday 24 February 2025
- 10pm Friday 28 February – 6am Monday 3 March 2025
- 10pm Friday 7 March – 6am Monday 10 March 2025
- 10pm Friday 14 March – 6am Monday 17 March 2025
Public Information Event
We will be holding a public information drop-in session at Ravensworth Golf Club on Wednesday, 4 December, from 3pm to 8pm. You can meet with members of the project team to ask any questions and learn more about the upcoming demolition work.
We will continue to keep you informed about the demolition and any other work leading up to the Christmas period.
-
05 August 2024
A1 latest closure information - August 2024
Please plan your journey ahead and expect delays during these periods.
Closures can also change at short notice. Make sure you check the latest information on our daily closures page. You can also get information on our regional X (formerly Twitter) page.
Diversion routes will be clearly signposted.
Tuesday, 20 August
- Northbound
- Lane 2 closed between Junction 63 and Junction 65
- Fully closed between Junction 65 and Junction 68
- Southbound
- Lane 3 and 2 closed between Junction 68 and Junction 67
- Lane 2 closed between Junction 67 and Junction 65
- Junction 67
- South side of the roundabout closed
Wednesday, 21 August
- Northbound
- Lane 2 closed between Junction 63 and Junction 65
- Fully closed between Junction 65 and Junction 68
- Southbound
- Lane 3 and 2 closed between Junction 68 and Junction 67
- Lane 2 closed between Junction 67 and Junction 65
- Junction 67
- South side of the roundabout closed
Thursday, 22 August
- Northbound
- Lane 2 closed between Junction 63 and Junction 65
- Fully closed between Junction 65 and Junction 68
- Southbound
- Lane 3 and 2 closed between Junction 68 and Junction 67
- Lane 2 closed between Junction 67 and Junction 65
- Junction 67
- South side of the roundabout closed
Tuesday, 27 August
- Northbound
- Lane 2 closed between Junction 63 and Junction 65
- Fully closed between Junction 65 and Junction 68
- Southbound
- Lane 3 and 2 closed between Junction 68 and Junction 67
- Lane 2 closed between Junction 67 and Junction 65
- Junction 67
- South side of the roundabout closed
Wednesday, 28 August
- Northbound
- Lane 2 closed between Junction 63 and Junction 65
- Fully closed between Junction 65 and Junction 68
- Southbound
- Lane 3 and 2 closed between Junction 68 and Junction 67
- Lane 2 closed between Junction 67 and Junction 65
- Junction 67
- South side of the roundabout closed
Thursday, 29 August
- Northbound
- Lane 2 closed between Junction 63 and Junction 65
- Fully closed between Junction 65 and Junction 68
- Southbound
- Lane 3 and 2 closed between Junction 68 and Junction 67
- Lane 2 closed between Junction 67 and Junction 65
- Junction 67
- South side of the roundabout closed
Friday, 30 August
- Northbound
- Lane 2 closed between Junction 63 and Junction 65
- Fully closed between Junction 65 and Junction 68
- Southbound
- Lane 3 and 2 closed between Junction 68 and Junction 67
- Lane 2 closed between Junction 67 and Junction 65
- Junction 67
- South side of the roundabout closed
Saturday, 31 August
- Northbound
- Lane 2 closed between Junction 63 and Junction 65
- Fully closed between Junction 65 and Junction 68
- Southbound
- Lane 3 and 2 closed between Junction 68 and Junction 67
- Lane 2 closed between Junction 67 and Junction 65
- Junction 67
- South side of the roundabout closed
-
09 June 2024
Junction 65 southbound off-slip now open
After successfully filling the void at junction 65 southbound off-slip, we've reopened the slip road. Vehicles can now access the A1231
This should improve some of the traffic congestion in the surrounding areas.
We've worked to ensure we completed repairs as quickly and safely as possible.
The closure was necessary for safety reasons. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this period.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
-
26 January 2024
Widening exit slip and earthworks
We are widening the exit slip road and need to carry out significant earthwork to install new drainage and the new lane.
This phase is expected to last around 8 weeks from late January and we will continue to work in the area once this phase of work is completed.
This work will require lane closures on the southbound exit slip road:
Please remember that closure details can change at short notice. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our daily closures page.
Delays are expected at peak times as people get used to the temporary layout and we ask people to plan ahead.
See the diversion routes we will be using during this scheme.
-
19 May 2021
We're starting work
We’re starting work to improve the A1 between Birtley and Coal House. This part of the A1 runs past the iconic Angel of the North and carries the A1 over the East Coast Main Line.
The A1 between J65 and J67 suffers from heavy traffic build up at peak times, causing frustration for drivers and unreliable journey times.
We are widening the carriageway adding an additional lane in both directions. The northbound carriageway will increase to three lanes and the southbound to four.
This scheme is really important for the north east – benefitting the region’s economy and supports Transport for the North’s plans
We’re working closely with Gateshead Council and local communities to make sure our scheme does not alter the local views and supports biodiversity and environmental interests.
-
25 January 2021
Project given permission
On 19 January the Secretary of State for Transport gave permission for this scheme to be constructed. This permission is called a Development Consent Order and you can find out more about it on the Planning Inspectorate's website. We are currently looking at when we will start work and this will be no later than summer 2021.
Project information
Overview
We will be improving approximately four miles of the A1 between junctions 65 (Birtley) and 67 (Coal House). The existing road will be widened between the junctions to help manage traffic joining and leaving the A1:
- Northbound we’ll increase the number of lanes from two to three.
- Southbound we’ll increase the number of lanes from three to four.
Junction 65, 66 and 67 will be modified to accommodate the additional lanes.
We also plan to replace Allerdene railway bridge, which carries the A1 over the east coast mainline railway. The current bridge was built nearly 40 years ago and requires regular maintenance which can cause disruption to traffic. We’ll build the new bridge just south of the existing bridge.
Benefits
We’re designing this improvement scheme to benefit road users, local communities, and to support the region’s economy.
Once completed it will:
- reduce congestion by increasing capacity for road users
- improve the reliability of peoples’ journeys and reduce delays by increasing capacity of the road network
- make journeys safer by improving the standard and capacity of the road
- help support economic growth by improving the road to the Newcastle and Tyneside area (Team Valley Employment Zone)
- support the government’s initiative for growth in the north
Give us your feedback
Visit our A1 Birtley to Coal House feedback tool to have your say. The tool includes an interactive map. You can click on a location to make a specific comment, or give us your general feedback.
ECHO is a one-way feedback tool, so if you’d like a response to your feedback you can email the project team at: A1BirtleytoCoalhouse@nationalhighways.co.uk
Documents
Traffic information
Information about scheduled roadworks and events on our motorways and major roads.X
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