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Chronicle Live readers are livid upon learning that a newly constructed bridge, part of a colossal project to expand a section of the A1, has been found to have defects. The Allerdene Bridge, built as part of National Highways' significant Birtley to Coal House A1 upgrade scheme, is one of 12 across the nation where welding issues have been detected by steelwork contractor Severfield.

The 3,400-tonne road bridge, which spans a section of the East Coast Main Line in Gateshead, was opened to traffic in September 2023.

Both National Highways and the North Yorkshire-based steel firm assert that the deficiencies at the motorway bridge, which has replaced the old Allerdene Bridge over the railway line, did not pose an immediate safety risk. However, traffic restrictions that were lifted elsewhere on that stretch of the A1 before Christmas have remained in force around the bridge due to the problem.

National Highways confirmed it was first alerted to a potential issue with the welding quality of steel beams on the........

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