(10 hours ago)Adrian wrote I don't know why buses aren't diverting away from the High Street? Given the circumstances, they'd be far better sticking to the bus priority along High Street West.
The honest answer is no one expected the traffic to be as bad as it has been - unless you're going to Tesco or the high street itself, there's no reason for a car to drive up it - and that's still true, there is no access for cars to the Tyne Bridge.
I know Stagecoach are working with the council to see what can be done to help, with hopes it'll have eased by the end of the week.