2025 is shaping up to be a key year in the restoration of the Tyne Bridge, though bosses admit there is “still a long way to go” before the structure is back to its best.
It is hoped that the huge project to repair the rusted bridge will be completed in time to celebrate its centenary in 2028, with engineers aiming to make big progress in the next 12 months. The refurbishment works will enter their next phase this month, as the repairs begin around the grade II* listed crossing’s Newcastle tower, and should move to the main bridge arch later in the year.
After years of lobbying the Government to fund the Tyne Bridge’s first major maintenance in more than two decades, the vast programme finally began in earnest last April. Repainting the bridge back to its traditional green is just part of the restoration, with more than 1,000 separate repairs needing to be carried out – including on its deteriorated steelwork and concrete. Scaffolding will gradually move across the bridge in 20 different phases during a four-year refurbishment scheme, as the total 13,000-tonne weight would be too heavy for the bridge to safely bear if it was completely covered at once.
Sections of the bridge adjacent to its Gateshead tower have been the first to be fixed up – with the first completed sections having been unveiled to the public last October after being cleaned, repaired, and repainted in the ‘Hollybush’ colour. The last work on that side of the bridge should be finished by February, after which the scaffolding on the south side of the river will be taken down.
Contractors from Esh Construction are now preparing to carry out the same fixes on the Newcastle side of the Tyne, where more scaffolding has now been put up. Overnight road closures will be in force on the Newcastle Quayside from 8pm until 6am on January 7 to 10 as large-scale equipment is brought across. Work around the Newcastle tower should be finished by autumn this year, after which the teams of engineers will move towards the main span of the bridge.
Specialist operatives have, ahead of schedule, already begun installing a scaffolding structure underneath the carriageway across the Tyne. As the repairs to the main archway get going later this year, passersby will notice more coverings extending up and over the railings on the carriageway.
People travelling over the bridge may also notice ongoing repairs within the void underneath the main bridge deck shift across from its east to west footway this year. However, road traffic across the bridge will continue to be restricted to only one lane in each direction during 2025.
Scaffolding on the Newcastle side of the Tyne Bridge
(Image: ChronicleLive)
Meanwhile, local council bosses are continuing to push the Government to release a final £6 million of funding promised for the scheme. The Department for Transport (DfT) has provided an initial £35.2 million towards the huge maintenance project, but Labour has put a further £6.2 million pledged under Rishi Sunak’s premiership under review since Sir Keir Starmer came to power and is yet to confirm whether that cash will be released or not.
Coun Juna Sathian, cabinet member for climate and transport at Newcastle City Council said: “The restoration of our iconic Tyne Bridge is well under way and it was great to join the teams on site to see such progress being made. The scale of the work required is huge and, while there is still a long way to go before we see our iconic bridge standing proudly over the Tyne once again, it has been wonderful to see the project get off to such a fantastic start in 2024.
“2025 is shaping up to be another busy year on site, as restoration begins on the Newcastle Quayside, and we will share further updates on these next stages of the project as this vital work continues.”
Steven Garrigan, Divisional Director at Esh, added: “We are ready to hit the ground running in the new year and continue restoring the Tyne Bridge to preserve it for future generations. Alongside the main construction programme, we will continue to deliver a raft of social and economic value initiatives we committed to for the region as we work hard to make a difference in the local community.”
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