Heworth Metro's long stay car park is fully re-opened as work on a flood alleviation and environmental protection project takes a step closer to completion.
Northumbrian Water and its partner Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) are working on the project to create a new pumping station in the car park, representing an investment of more than £4m. This will redirect large volumes of surface water away from the sewer network, increasing capacity and reducing the chances of sewage spilling into the Tyne.
Working in conjunction with Gateshead Council, Northumbrian Water has also introducing additional highway drainage and increased the size of existing sewers in Sunderland Road, as well as constructing a new relief chamber next to the Swan Pub. This work will further reduce the risk of flooding from surface water.
During the course of the work, it was necessary to reduce the capacity of the car park. However, 90 bays have now been re-opened in time for Christmas, increasing capacity for shoppers and commuters to park at Heworth Metro.
Work to finalise the project continues, but is due to be completed by the end of January.
Project Manager Paul Davison said: "It's great that we are able to put these parking bays back in use ahead of the final run-in to Christmas. I'd like to thank Gateshead Council, Nexus and car park users for their patience and cooperation while we completed the construction work and we hope the extra capacity we are freeing up, with 90 more bays back in use, will come in handy for that last minute shopping."