The A1 southbound near the Metrocentre is currently closed following a serious accident that occurred around 10:15 AM today (Monday). Emergency services, including police, paramedics, and the Great North Air Ambulance, are at the scene. Motorists are strongly advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.
Current Situation
The accident on the A1 near Metrocentre initially led to the closure of both northbound and southbound lanes to allow the air ambulance to land. While the northbound lanes have since reopened, the southbound carriageway remains closed, causing severe delays. Traffic queues are building, with congestion reported as far as Kenton Bar Roundabout and along the A1114, as drivers divert to alternative routes.
Emergency Response
A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service confirmed they were called at 10:15 AM and dispatched an ambulance crew and a clinical team leader. The Great North Air Ambulance also responded, with a critical care team—comprising a doctor and two paramedics—arriving on the scene at 10:39 AM.
Traffic Diversions
National Highways has issued diversion instructions for drivers:
Southbound Drivers: Follow the Solid Square symbol on road signs, exiting at the Metrocentre Interchange and rejoining the A1 via the Dunston Interchange.
Northbound Drivers: Follow the Solid Triangle symbol, exiting at the Dunston Interchange and using local roads to rejoin the A1 near Swalwell.
Witness Reports
Drivers on the opposite carriageway have reported seeing a man receiving chest compressions after the A1 accident near the Metrocentre. Some passersby stopped to assist before emergency services arrived. Unconfirmed reports suggest a possible collision involving a lorry, though this has yet to be confirmed.
What We Know So Far
The incident occurred on the A1 between J71 (Metro Centre, Swalwell) and J70 (Dunston / Whickham Turn Off). The southbound A1 remains closed with delays of up to 20 minutes and average speeds of just 10 mph.
Motorists are urged to follow diversion routes and avoid the area. Stay tuned for further updates as the situation unfolds.
UPDATE 13:00
A1 Southbound Remains Closed, Northbound Reopens
The A1 Western Bypass Southbound remains closed with significant delays following the earlier incident, stretching from J71 Hollinside Road (Metro Centre, Swalwell) to J70 Park Terrace (Dunston / Whickham Turn Off, Dunston).
Northbound traffic, which was temporarily halted to allow the air ambulance to land, has now been released. However, congestion is still heavy, with delays extending back to J76 Kenton Bar Roundabout and additional queuing reported on the A1114 as drivers seek alternative routes.
Motorists are advised to continue avoiding the area if possible, with delays expected to persist until the southbound carriageway reopens.
UPDATE 14:00
Update: Long Delays Cleared Following Earlier A1 Incident
Traffic is now flowing normally on the A1 Western Bypass Southbound, as long delays have been cleared following the earlier police incident. The affected stretch, which ran from J73 A694 Derwenthaugh Road (Blaydon / Consett Turn Off, Swalwell) to J70 Park Terrace (Dunston / Whickham Turn Off, Dunston), has reopened, and congestion has eased.
Motorists can now resume using the route without significant delays, although some residual traffic may still occur as conditions return to normal.
