New milestone in Tyne Bridge restoration as scaffolding begins along the bridge parapet

New scaffolding is being erected around the Tyne Bridge’s parapet as the restoration of the iconic structure reaches its latest milestone.

With the latest phase of work on the main bridge deck now complete, the next phase will see scaffolding, termed as ‘up and overs’, installed from the underdeck, up the side and over the bridge parapet onto the footway to enable repairs and repainting works to be carried out on the screen plate and the parapets.

As part of this next phase, a pedestrian tunnel will be constructed on each footway so people can safely use the bridge while the work continues.

This work has started on the west footway and pedestrians will begin using the new tunnel from early 2026. A similar tunnel will be constructed on the east footway later in the programme.

To facilitate the tunnel construction, a series of overnight closures will be required, which are being scheduled for later in the year.

Upon completion of all works to the screen plates and parapets, the scaffolding will be removed to pave the way for the construction of the safety deck scaffolding on the bridge deck when work will begin on the bridge arch.

Cllr Juna Sathian, Newcastle City Council’s cabinet member for transport and climate said: “It’s great to see such fantastic progress being made on the Tyne Bridge, as we restore an icon to its former glory.

“With all eyes on the Tyne Bridge as part of another successful Great North Run, where the need for the repairs was visible for all to see, it’s great that work will soon move onto this key part of the structure.

“As we’ve set out before, it’s a complicated programme with 20 different phases of scaffolding required, which has been meticulously calculated due to the weight loading, as well as ensuring the bridge remains open for traffic and pedestrians over the four-year programme.

“People will soon see for themselves the repairs made to the Newcastle under-arch, as the scaffolding will soon start to come down around the Newcastle quayside which has been repaired and repainted in its distinctive Hollybush Green.

“This is a huge project for the region, with everyone involved hugely passionate to be part of the restoration as we preserve this much-loved icon for future generations.”

Cllr John McElroy, cabinet member for the environment and transport at Gateshead Council, said: “The detailed work completed on the bridge structure is so impressive. It’s vital that the public understand the complexity and sheer hard work that has gone into this restoration.

“When the programme is complete, we will see the bridge looking fantastic, like new, and it’s the engineering skills and fitting of replacement steel components that are making all that possible.”

Within the scaffolding on the Newcastle quayside, over 350 repairs have been identified and completed, including major repairs involving detailed temporary works designs. The final coat of Hollybush Green is being applied and will soon be revealed to the public, as the scaffolding is dismantled down to the loading deck in the Autumn.

Work on the west footpath of the bridge deck has now been completed. This includes structural repairs to the bridge hangers, which were assessed as in need of strengthening. Repairs to structural connection plates have been undertaken on the remaining hangers, to ensure the long-term durability of the hanger connections. All repairs are now complete and the buckle plates have been reinstated.

Esh Construction is carrying out the works on behalf of Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council. Gareth Dawson, Senior Project Manager at Esh, commented: “As the repair and repainting work within the Newcastle quayside scaffolding and the underdeck scaffolding heads towards completion, we’re pleased to be moving into the next phase which focuses on the parapets and screen plates.

“In addition to the progress on site, we are continuing our work within the community to create opportunities and deliver a real and lasting impact. So far, we have delivered employability and careers initiatives to more than 10,600 students, contributed 650 volunteering hours to local projects and provided 480 weeks of work experience on the scheme.”

More than 2,000 rivets have been replaced and 420 repairs completed in the latest stage of the Tyne Bridge restoration, and overall, 13,000 tonnes of scaffold components will be used – equivalent to the weight of six London Eyes.

The Tyne Bridge restoration is funded by the UK Government, as well as monies from the North East Combined Authority, Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council.