The Gateshead Highway, which carries traffic to and from the Tyne Bridge, had to close following an inspection.
Other new appointments to the House of Lords include former shadow cabinet minister Thangam Debbonaire and ex-minister Therese Coffey.
The head of a Canadian political party that has been keeping Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in power said on Friday he would vote in favor of a motion of no-confidence in the government. New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh made the commitment in an open letter. If all the opposition parties do vote together on a motion of no-confidence in the Liberal government, Trudeau will lose power and an election will occur.