Planned overnight closures of the Tyne Bridge for restoration works

Motorists are being advised that there will be further overnight closures of the Tyne Bridge as restoration work progresses to the east footway.

The Tyne Bridge will be closed overnight this Thursday 19 and Friday 20 March to prepare for the switchover of pedestrians and cyclists from the east to the west side of the bridge. Works have recently been completed on the west side on the bridge’s parapets and underdeck.

The new pedestrian and cyclist arrangements will be in place for when the bridge re-opens from 6am on Saturday 21 March.

Then a further five nights of overnight closures will be required from Monday 23 March, through to Friday 27 March for new scaffolding to be installed.

The new scaffolding will surround the lower section of the arch on the bridge deck, mirroring the work that was recently completed on the west side.

As this scaffolding will sit next to live traffic, for the safety of the public and workforce, this will be done overnight from 8pm until 6am.

Access will remain open for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the road closures.

Once the new scaffolding is in place, Esh Construction will begin to grit blast, repair and apply the specialist three-coat paint system, with the final coat in its distinctive Hollybush Green along the east side of the bridge. This phase is scheduled to last until the Autumn.

Cllr Juna Sathian, cabinet member for Climate and Transport at Newcastle City Council, said: “The restoration of our iconic Tyne Bridge continues at pace, as we restore this iconic landmark back to its former glory.

“Passersby will see for themselves the amazing transformation that has taken place on the west side with the new arrangements in place, giving us a glimpse of how fantastic the bridge will look once restoration work is completed.”

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 2026, 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.

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.