A major milestone in the multi-million-pound Tyne Bridge restoration has been reached after teams successfully achieved their target for installation of the protection deck during a full closure of the bridge in late October.
The 10-day closure, from 23 October to 2 November, provided engineers with unrestricted access to carry out extensive works above and across the carriageway, accelerating progress towards restoration of the bridge’s iconic main arch. The closure was the first time the Tyne Bridge had been completely closed to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists since the restoration got underway.
Despite around 20 working hours being lost at the beginning of the closure following Storm Austen and Storm Boelo, teams recovered the programme and achieved the target of completing 70% of the overall protection deck.
Teams also removed the remaining street lighting columns across the bridge and carried out preparatory work for vehicle restraint system plates and further repairs.
Gareth Dawson, Senior Project Manager at Esh Construction, said: “This closure was a hugely important period for the programme and our primary objective was to maximise the unrestricted access to the bridge to make significant progress with the protection deck.
“Despite losing around 20 working hours to adverse weather at the beginning of the closure, the team responded exceptionally well. Alongside the protection deck, we were able to progress a number of other important activities, including the remaining street lighting column removals and preparatory works for future repairs. Making the most of the closure in this way helps us reduce the need for further disruption as the restoration progresses.”
A detailed planning and risk assessment programme commenced months in advance of the works between subcontractor Infrastructure Site Services (ISS), Esh Construction and representatives from both councils to scope out the complex civil engineering works. This included programme impact, minimising disruption to general public and the coordination of large quantities of materials, engineers and operatives to ensure the programmed works over the October half-term could proceed on time.
Christian Farquhar, Managing Director at ISS, said: “We set out collectively with Esh and both councils to make this closure as impactful as possible and through critical planning sessions in the month leading up to it, which really showcased just how collaborative the working culture has become on this project – I think we’ve more than achieved what we set out to accomplish.
“Logistically, we had to prepare and deliver over 200 tonnes of scaffolding for the closure phase and given the nature of the closure, this had to take place progressively through every day we were working. This has been a monumental challenge, but everyone really pulled in the same direction and got us where we needed to be. In the background we’ve had to continue working behind the scenes in preparation for this next phase of works to get the remainder of the deck complete and move onto the arch.”
With works on the protection deck advancing through November, scaffolding across the main arch will become visible as we head into the festive season and into 2027, offering the general public a real glimpse into the works that are taking place, for the first time in the restoration project.
Dawson added: “Over the past year, our main focus has been on the completion of the deck-level painting and repairs. This has involved full painting works to the parapets and screen plates, as well as completing structural repairs within the voids.
“These repairs are vital to allow us to continue into the next phase of works. They restore lost capacity to the bridge and allow us to apply larger loads from the scaffolding to access the main arch. Without these repairs, we would be unable to apply the loads needed to access every inch of the main arch.”
Over the last two years, the restoration has already transformed substantial sections of the Grade II* listed structure, including the under arches adjacent to the Newcastle and Gateshead towers, the underside of the main river span, hangers, parapets and curved screen plates.
The protection deck enables the next major phase of works to progress safely above the carriageway, with the main arch programme encompassing grit blasting, steelwork repairs and the application of a specialist three-coat protective paint system in the bridge’s distinctive Hollybush Green.
Pamela Holmes, Assistant Director for Transport at Newcastle City Council said: “This is a major milestone in the Tyne Bridge’s restoration programme, as we preserve this Grade II* listed structure for future generations.
“Over the last two years, significant progress and a major transformation have taken place on the lower sections of the bridge, and now the project is progressing to the main bridge arch - the centrepiece of the restoration programme and its most visually prominent phase.
“We are delighted with the progress made during the ten-day closure, particularly given the challenging weather conditions. This is a testament to the hard work and commitment of all the teams involved.”
Esh Construction is delivering the restoration on behalf of Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council, with the overall programme remaining on schedule for completion ahead of the Tyne Bridge’s centenary in October 2028.
The multi-million-pound restoration is funded by the UK Government, alongside funding from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council.
To find out more about Esh Construction, visit www.eshgroup.co.uk