Great North Run and Quayside closures starting this weekend

With the world’s greatest and best half-marathon, the AJ Bell Great North Run, taking place this weekend, a series of road closures will be in place across Newcastle, Gateshead and South Tyneside, including the Tyne Bridge, and people should plan ahead.

The major annual sporting event will take place on Sunday 8 September, with 60,000 runners making the famous crossing over the iconic Tyne Bridge as they run the 13.1 miles from Newcastle to South Shields. The Great North 5K will take place on Friday 6 September and the Junior and Mini AJ Bell Great North Runs will also take place in the city on Saturday 7 September, with both these events taking place around the Newcastle Quayside.

In order to facilitate the Great North Run safely, the Tyne Bridge will be closed from 8.45am to 3pm on Sunday.

Runners and spectators coming into Newcastle are encouraged to use public transport where possible. Park and ride facilities operate from many Metro stations and from the MetroCentre, just off the A1.

Cllr Marion Williams, cabinet member for a Sustainable City at Newcastle City Council, said: “The Tyne Bridge plays an important role in the Great North Run, with 60,000 people running over the iconic structure, and will continue to do so throughout its four-year restoration programme.

“It may look a little different this year, but we will ensure there is minimum impact on runners at this key sporting event. This includes ensuring there is enough capacity to accommodate the runners as they cross the bridge, which will involve removing some of the traffic management measures currently in place.

“With the Tyne Bridge undergoing major restoration work, we can only accommodate spectators on the approaches to the Tyne Bridge, but I am sure the runners will still experience the amazing atmosphere and warm Geordie welcome as they cross the iconic Tyne Bridge, a key part of what makes this course so special. It will be an amazing event which we are incredibly proud to be part of.

“Following the Great North Run, there will be some overnight closures on the Quayside as work progresses on the major restoration of our much-loved bridge. This is to ensure that the Quayside area is fully accessible as this major refurbishment programme progresses around the Newcastle tower.”

With the Tyne Bridge undergoing major restoration work with only one footway open, spectators will not be able to stand on the bridge between the towers this year and should find alternative areas to cheer runners on. Marshalls will be in place to ensure the footway is kept clear for people crossing the river.

Once the last runner is across the starting line, teams will move in to begin the mammoth task of removing the road closures, with central motorway and the Tyne Bridge fully operational from 3pm, and the start area expected to be fully cleared by 6pm.

Following the Great North Run, there will be a series of overnight closures on the Quayside as major scaffolding works are erected around the Newcastle Tower as part of the Tyne Bridge restoration works. This is to build a tunnel for traffic and pedestrians as restoration works commence on the Newcastle side. Although there will be short-term disruption during these closures, this is to ensure the Quayside remains accessible for the duration of the works as this major refurbishment programme progresses.

Starting on Sunday 8 September, road closures will be in place between Sandhill and Broad Chare between 8pm and 6am until 19 September (Sundays to Thursdays), with these closures due to end at 6am on Friday 20 September. Local diversions will be in place, including for public transport, and how people access local businesses and hospitality venues, including the Premier Inn, will be affected. Access remains open for residents, via the Sandhill/The Side junction with Queen Street and will be able to exit via Kings Street. There will be no access from the Broad Chare junction, this will be exit only.

The Quayside Market will continue to operate on Sundays during this time, although some stalls may need to be relocated, which has been agreed with the markets team at the city council.

The Quayside should be fully open from 21 September, with pedestrians and traffic allowed in both directions via tunnels underneath the scaffolding.

The scaffolding will allow access to the steelwork and underside of the bridge deck where Esh Construction will carry out the sizable task of cleaning, grit blasting, repairing and repainting as part of the major restoration of the iconic North East landmark.

Esh Construction is carrying out the work on behalf of Newcastle and Gateshead Councils.

The four-year programme is expected to be complete in summer 2028, ahead of the bridge’s centenary in October 2028.