Completion of west parapet works as Tyne Bridge restoration gears up for next phase
Newly restored sections of the Tyne Bridge are set to be unveiled from today (Monday 9 March) as another milestone of the multi-million-pound restoration is completed.
Scaffolding surrounding the lower section of the arch on the bridge deck is set to be removed from the western footway (Swing Bridge side) where restoration works have been taking place on the bridge’s parapets and underdeck.
Over the last 6 months, operatives have been working behind the scaffolding to fully grit blast, repair and apply a specialist three-coat paint system, with the final coat in its distinctive Hollybush Green.
As this scaffolding sits next to live traffic, five overnight closures will be required for sections of scaffolding to be safely removed, from 8pm until 6am from Monday 9 March until Friday 13 March, however the closure will be delayed until 11.30pm on Tuesday 10 March to allow travelling football fans to get home safely. Access will remain open for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the road closures.
As the next milestone is completed, restoration work will switch from the western to the eastern footways and parapets, with pedestrian access also switched to the western footway to enable this next phase of repairs and painting to start. This phase will replicate the same sequence of work already completed on the western footway.
Traffic will continue to operate using one lane in each direction for the protection of the public and the workforce. To facilitate the pedestrian access switch over, there will be two further overnight closures of the Tyne Bridge, from the 19-20 of March, from 8pm until 6am, with the bridge re-opened to traffic from 6am on Saturday 21 March. A route for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained.
Cllr Juna Sathian, cabinet member for Climate and Transport at Newcastle City Council, said: “We’re almost two years into this major restoration programme as we restore an icon to its former glory and people can see the major transformation that is taking place.
“Each phase is meticulously planned, and I am pleased that the project remains on schedule as we preserve this major landmark for future generations.
“We would like to thank all of the teams involved for their huge efforts in completing this next milestone.”
Cllr John McElroy, cabinet member for the environment and transport at Gateshead Council, said: “We want to thank the teams working on the bridge, especially over the cold winter months and the start of this year when they had rain every single day.
“It’s a huge task to get the structure back to its best, and we’re very grateful for the hard graft they are putting in.”
North of England contractor, Esh Construction, is delivering the scheme in partnership with Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council.
The scaffolding will also begin on the bridge deck in Autumn 2026 to create a protection deck above the carriageway. This will pave the way for works to begin on the main bridge arch in 2027.
By the end of this year, all repairs and painting works from the carriageway down to the quayside and across the river span will be completed, and the scaffolding below the bridge will start to be removed.
Since the start of the project in April 2024, works completed include restoration to both under arches on the quaysides, over 1,200 repairs, strengthening works to the bridge’s hangers, completion of the westside screen plates and parapets, and ahead of schedule, completion of the bridge soffit.
The programme remains on schedule and is expected to be complete in time for the bridge’s centenary in 2028.
The Tyne Bridge multi-million-pound restoration is funded by the UK Government, as well as monies from the North East Combined Authority, Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council.
