Road closures for the Great North Run

As 60,000 runners take on the world’s greatest and best half-marathon, the AJ Bell Great North Run, this weekend, a series of road closures will be in place across Tyneside, including the Tyne Bridge, and people are urged to plan ahead.

The major annual sporting event will take place on Sunday 7 September, with runners starting in Newcastle city centre, with the iconic route crossing the Tyne Bridge, as they run the 13.1 miles from Newcastle to South Shields.

Road closures will be in place around the start area near the Town Moor and Exhibition Park, from 8pm on Saturday evening until 6pm on Sunday. This includes the North West Radial (A167) and associated slip roads between Grandstand Road and Great North Road, and North Terrace between Claremont Road and Town Moor.

Central motorway (A167M) between Great North Road and Tyne Bridge and the Tyne Bridge itself will be closed on Sunday from 8.45am until around 2.30pm. Full details of the road closures in Newcastle are available at https://new.newcastle.gov.uk/news/2025/road-closures-great-north-run

Runners and spectators coming into the city are encouraged to use public transport where possible. Park and ride facilities operate from many Metro stations and from the MetroCentre, just off the A1. 

As per last year, spectators are encouraged to find alternative areas from the Tyne Bridge to cheer runners on due to the ongoing Tyne Bridge refurbishment programme, which has only one footway open. Marshalls will be in place to ensure the footway is kept clear for people crossing the river.

Cllr Juna Sathian, cabinet member for transport and climate said: “The Great North Run is the sporting highlight of the year, when all eyes are on the city as 60,000 runners make their way over our iconic Tyne Bridge, a key part of what makes this course so special. This is set to be another fabulous weekend in the city and we look forward to providing a warm Geordie welcome to everyone taking part.

“With both the central motorway and Tyne Bridge undergoing improvements, we have worked closely with the organisers to ensure this event is as spectacular as always.

“We are incredibly proud to host this event and wish good luck to everyone taking part.”

Following the event, teams will move in to begin the mammoth task of removing the road closures, with the Tyne Bridge expected to re-open from 2.30pm.

After this year’s run, it will be time to bid farewell to the famous Great North Run sign for the next couple of years, as the restoration programme moves on to the arch of the bridge, having completed the sections adjacent to both towers on the quaysides. Work to dismantle the Great North Run sign will get underway from 15 September, which will require five overnight closures, from Monday 15 September through to Friday 19 September, from 8pm until 6am, with the bridge fully open to traffic from 6am on Saturday 20 September.

Esh Construction is carrying out the work on behalf of Newcastle and Gateshead Councils.

The four-year programme is expected to be complete in summer 2028, ahead of the bridge’s centenary in October 2028.

The Tyne Bridge restoration is funded by the UK Government, as well as monies from the North East Combined Authority, Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council.