Its Medieval name was Gillygate,[2][3] and it developed as a "long deeply banked street" [2] down from the moor and the church to the city, which by the eighteenth century was lined with houses.

[2] At its other western end nearer to the city centre Gilesgate train station was opened in 1844 as a terminus on a branch of the Newcastle and Darlington Junction Railway, but served passengers for only 13 years; it remained open as a goods station however until 1966.

[5] Following the Second World War, a further council housing estate was constructed north of the Sunderland Road with the streets taking the names of war leaders and local recipients of the Victoria Cross.

After many of the collieries closed, the suburb became largely residential, though some industrial buildings were developed in the Dragonville area.

The road used the old railway line to Gilesgate station to provide quick access to the A1 Motorway, with a new cutting to the city centre requiring significant demolition.