Gateshead A187 Flyover Demolition: Huge Gap Opens Up! Day 33 Progress Update

Added: 2026-05-23

[00:00:03][music] >> We're back at the gated A167 flyover.

[00:00:09]And this is day 33 of the demolition.

[00:00:13]Since our last visit nearly 2 weeks ago, there's been a huge amount of progress.

[00:00:18]And one of the biggest changes is now impossible to miss.

[00:00:22]Welcome back to 55° North.

[00:00:26]A massive section of the flyover has disappeared, leaving a huge gap between the remaining structures.

[00:00:34]So today, we're going to take a closer look at what has been removed, what's happening next, and why some of the equipment and materials on site are absolutely crucial to keeping this demolition safe.

[00:00:46]As you can see, quite a big section has now been removed since the last video.

[00:00:52]Where there was once a continuous stretch of flyover, there's now a massive gap between the two remaining sections. It really shows just how quickly the demolition is moving along now.

[00:01:03]The plan, it appears to be steadily continuing moving southwards and towards the first major hurdle in this project, the five bridges roundabout.

[00:01:13]One thing that stands out now is that they appear to be clearing a lot of rubble from where the structure stood.

[00:01:19]It looks like this may be to open up or prepare the bus lane that run underneath the flyover. Possibly so it can be used as a full road to help ease traffic congestion once work reaches the roundabout.

[00:01:33]Now, I'm not 100% sure if that is the plan. So if anyone watching knows more about this, let me know in the comments below.

[00:01:41]You can also see trucks reversing up to the excavator, ready to be loaded with broken up concrete.

[00:01:47]Once loaded, that material is taken away. And in many demolition projects, concrete like this is often processed and repurposed elsewhere.

[00:01:58]It is quite something to watch. Bit by bit, the flyover is being broken down, separated, loaded, and removed from site.

[00:02:07]A structure that once carried thousands of vehicles is now being reduced piece by piece.

[00:02:12]A little further round, another excavator is using its giant claw to gather what looks like steel reinforcement from inside the concrete.

[00:02:22]The steel is being collected and placed in the waiting skips, ready to be taken away.

[00:02:27]This is one of those details that is easy to miss from a distance, but when you look closely, you can see just how methodical the process is.

[00:02:37]It is not simply about smashing the flyover down. The teams are carefully separating different materials, clearing the site, and keeping the demolition moving in a controlled way. Further over, you can see where they've started munching away from both sides of the next section to go.

[00:02:54]This part is especially interesting because you can really see the demolition progressing in stages.

[00:03:01]Rather than taking down huge sections all at once, the work is being done in a controlled and steady way. Each bite from excavators brings the next span closer to coming down.

[00:03:12]You can also see another excavator taking down what I've been calling the Lego blocks from the flyover and stacking them ready to be used elsewhere on site.

[00:03:23]These blocks might not look exciting at first glance, but they are an essential part of the demolition.

[00:03:30]They help keep the flyover stable while work is taking place, and they have been placed in precise locations.

[00:03:39]The stability is incredibly important because the way these structures like this can hold tension.

[00:03:45]If that tension was suddenly released, almost like a giant elastic band snapping, the whole thing could come crashing down in a very dangerous way.

[00:03:55]That could cause serious damage to nearby buildings, roads, and infrastructure.

[00:04:00]So, while it might look like a straightforward demolition from the outside, there is a huge amount of planning, engineering, and care going into every stage.

[00:04:10]So, overall, quite a bit of work has been done since the last update. A large section is now gone. The gap in the flyover is much bigger. Rubble is being cleared. Concrete is being loaded and removed. Steel reinforcement is being gathered. And work has already started on the next section.

[00:04:29]Before I wrap this video up, please let me know in the comments below your thoughts on how the demolition is going so far.

[00:04:36]And if you've missed any previous episodes, I've created a dedicated Gateshead flyover playlist, which I'll leave a link in the description.

[00:04:46]And if you've liked the video, please give it a massive thumbs up as it really helps the channel to grow.

[00:04:51]And if you want to follow the demolition right through to the end, make sure you subscribe to and hit the bell notification so you don't miss the next update. A massive thank you for watching. I will see you next time, right here on 55° North.

[00:05:15]>> [music]