The busiest roads in Tyneside

What are the busiest roads in Tyneside? Get the facts in our article along with some tips for avoiding traffic.

The Tyne Tunnel is a misnomer. It in fact consists of two toll tunnels running under the River Tyne. Built in 1967 and expanded in 2011, the tunnels connect Jarrow on the river's south bank with North Shields and Wallsend to the north.

In 2015, the southbound route saw an average of 2,225 vehicles a day in the morning rush hour and 2,352 in the evening jam. Northbound, the figures were 2,352 in the morning and 2,075 in the evening.

Once upon a time, the Tyne Tunnel was considered one of the most dangerous in Europe, with poor lighting, no hard shoulder, an inadequate fire alarm system and an emergency walkway that was inaccessible to people with disabilities.

The 2011 expansion project addressed many of these safety concerns and the Tyne Tunnel is now a much safer option for motorists.

The Tyne Bridge

The Tyne Bridge is iconic. Since its opening in 1928, the bridge has been a defining landmark not just of Newcastle but of the North East in general.

Now Grade II-listed, it's seen a huge amount of human life – from the carriages of old to today's cars, lorries and buses.

In 2015, the Tyne Bridge northbound saw 2,707 vehicles at 9 a.m. and 2,556 at 6 p.m. Southbound, the figures were slightly less but still, to put it lightly, chocker – 2,300 at 8 a.m. and 2,240 at 5 p.m.

The Tyne Bridge isn't just popular with motorists. It's also teeming with birdlife in the form of a 1,400-strong kittiwake population.

You can spot them in spring and summer nesting in the bridge's famous green girders or high up on the pair of twin towers. It's a dangerous environment for the birds and fatal collisions with cars and cyclists aren't unknown.

A bigger threat to the kittiwakes, however, is the four-year refurbishment of Tyne Bridge, which kicked off in Easter 2024. This comprehensive works programme covers everything from steelwork, stonework and concrete repairs to waterproofing, joint replacement and drainage improvements.

With lane restrictions in place, it's already causing disruption to motorists. Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council are encouraging people to plan ahead and use public transport whenever possible.

The A1 Western Bypass

The A1 holds the record for the longest numbered road in the UK. Also known as the "Great North Road", it runs 410 miles from London to Edinburgh.

It will come as no surprise, then, that the A1 is busy – and the Western Bypass, which leads to Gateshead, Newcastle and other popular destinations, is no exception.

In 2015, the A1 Western Bypass southbound saw an average of 2,503 motorists at 9 a.m. and 2,428 at 6 p.m. Meanwhile, the northbound route saw 2,867 at 8 a.m. and 2,991 at 5 p.m.

How to avoid traffic

If you're a frequent driver, you've probably got a thing or two to say about heavy traffic – and chances are, it's not positive. It may even involve some four-letter words and angry gestures at the sky.

But did you know that getting stuck in traffic isn't inevitable? Avoiding it takes a bit of planning, sure – but there are concrete steps you can take to enjoy the open road without spending most of your time in a queue.

Here are three ways to minimise your chances of getting stuck in traffic.

1. Plan your route

In the age of GPS, it's tempting not to plan your journey. After all, your smartphone or sat nav will get you there just fine.

But a route can easily be affected by congestion, bad weather, diversions and roadblocks. Your GPS will reroute you, sure – but only after you've wasted time in a traffic jam.

Whether you use your smartphone or a good old-fashioned A to Z, it's easy to find out any obstacles on the road and plan accordingly.

2. Choose off-peak times for your journey

Sometimes, you have to drive at peak hours. But if you have the choice, it can make a huge difference to your journey time – not to mention your stress levels.

3. Look for alternative routes

Again, this requires a bit of planning – but trust us, it's worth it. Know the roads well and you're in a far better position to reroute in the event of a jam.

How we can help

You can't always count on an easy journey – but you can rent a car that's up to the job.

MVH Rental is a trusted Newcastle car hire company that's staffed by friendly local experts. We stock a wide range of vehicles at competitive rates.

So whether you're living in Tyneside or passing through, and whether you're here for business or pleasure, get in touch for a quick, competitive quote. A member of our team will be happy to help you out.