Contractors are due to begin installing an extra carriageway lane on the A1 at Gateshead this week, Highways England has announced.

Works include widening the slip road and building a dedicated feeder lane from the Lobley Hill junction to the A184.

For safety reasons, the slip road will be closed from 8pm on Friday, 03 June until 6am on Monday, 06 June.

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The project is being carried out due to the A1 Coal House to Metro Centre scheme, part of the government's five-year road investment strategy, which will see over 1,300 miles of new lanes created and £15 billion invested in major roads by 2020.

Highways England project manager Lynne Biddles said: "During the weekend closure, we will be carrying out drainage and resurfacing work to the slip road as well as painting on the road markings, putting in lighting and carrying out work to the verges.

"It is essential that this work takes place so the scheme as a whole can progress, with the extra lanes on track to open to traffic at the end of June."

Diversions will be in place.

(LM)