News
Heavy rain across the region
Dated: 28 Jun 2012
Police are asking motorists to take particular care on roads across the region due to the heavy rain.
Officers have received reports of localised flooding around Haltwhistle, Greenhead Bank and generally along the A69 and A68 in Northumberland.
Drivers are advised to take extra care when traveling, reduce their speed and exercise caution on the roads that are affected.
Motorists are also asked to allow extra distance between themselves and other vehicles and ensure they use their lights if visibility is an issue.
Additional advice for motorists is also available on the Northumbria Police website here > > >
Update 7:30am
This is an updated list of main road closures across the Northumbria Police force area.
All main roads are now reopen, including Askew Road and Great Lime Road
Work is ongoing on minor roads across the local authority areas to remove debris. Please take care on our roads while this clean-up takes place.
Update - Friday June 29, 6:30am
The following roads remain closed at this time:
North Tyneside - BACKWORTH LANE, BACKWORTH
A189 ROUNDABOUT JUNCTION WITH WESTMOOR, SALTERS LANE
Gateshead - ASKEW ROAD, GATESHEAD
Work is continuing to clear these roads and updates will be provided as soon as they are available.
Metro System update - Only a limited service available at this time. A bus service is operating between Monkseaton and Four Lane Ends.
Please note although most main routes across the region have re-opened, local flooding is expected to still be causing problems in local roads.
There will be ongoing cleaning of many roads across the local authority areas as debris will need to be removed. Please take care on our roads while this clean-up takes place.
Update: 9.55pm
Tyne Tunnel has reopened in both directions and the traffic is moving freely.
Please note the Tyne and Wear Metro system will not be working for the rest of this evening.
Update 8.45pm:
Gateshead - residents being evacuated
Residents in the Eastwood Gardens area of Felling in Gateshead are suffering from severe flooding to their properties.
Emergency services and council staff are in attendance and are in the area to help evacuate residents.
Emergency services are asking people to remain in their homes until they are helped to safety by services personnel and council staff.
Update 8.30pm: Further advice to motorists
Motorists who are stuck in traffic in their vehicles due to the flooding on many roads across our region are asked by police to stay with their vehicle, unless unsafe to do so.
Police and other emergency services are working with local authority staff to clear roads wherever possible. This work will continue to help people get home.
Drivers and their passengers who are affected by the flooding on the roads are reminded if they urgently need help to contact police on 101 and if there is an emergency to call 999.
A1 Belford now open - passable with care
Update 8pm
Testos Roundabout in South Tyneside is currently flooded. Motorists are urged to avoid this area for the rest of the evening.
Update: 7:10pm
Trains from Edinburgh travelling south are terminating at Berwick. Passengers wishing to travel south are leaving the train and are waiting for buses to take them further south.
Trains travelling from Birtley and Low Fell are travelling at 5mph with severe delays.
All Metros are at a standstill due to flooding and the system has been suspended. Most trains are stopped at stations.
The advice is passengers use normal bus services.
The Tyne Tunnel is closed in both directions
There are slight improvement to roads. The A1 Acklington to Felton has one lane open and the Newcastle Central Motorway East is now running - roads are passable with care.
Update: 6pm
This is a brief update about road closures in the region.
In South Tyneside, Ocean Road is totally closed in both directions and the A184 at Port of Tyne is barely passable.
In Northumberland the northbound A1 is closed between Acklington and Felton.
Update: 5:45pm
Flooding is continuing to cause problems in the region.
Over the past two hours there have been numerous reports of localised flooding from Berwick ,through Northumberland, Tyneside and Newcastle.
There are currently reports of ten inches of water in parts of central Newcastle.
Other traffic problems include:
The A69 is closed at Acomb and traffic is being diverted west onto the A6079.
The A19 at Seaton Burn is down to one lane southbound due to standing water.
The CME between Newcastle city centre and Cowgate is closed in both directions.
The Felling bypass is closed in both directions at Eastwood Gardens.
Numerous minor roads are closed.
Officers are all out working with other agencies to help people and supporting local communities. People should avoid taking to the roads if at all possible. Drivers are still advised to take extra care when travelling, reduce their speed and exercise caution on the roads that are affected.
Motorists are also asked to allow extra distance between themselves and other vehicles and ensure they use their lights if visibility is an issue.