Newcastle’s iconic Tyne Bridge receives £35M grant for overdue refurbishment

Newcastle City Council and Transport for the North will receive £35.3M from the government for essential refurbishment works to the historic Tyne Bridge and the adjacent central motorway.The grade-II listed structure was last refurbished and repainted in 2001, and the paint was only designed to last 15-20 years.Transport for the North and Newcastle City Council jointly lodged a bid for £40M funding to rejuvenate it with the Department for Transport (DfT) in 2019. This bid then remained in stasis for several years, as the DfT continued to dither while the bridge continued to fall into what local MPs called an “appalling state”, as its paint was peeling and rusted although engineers said it’s structurally sound. Last year, a bid for £18.5M from the first round of the Levelling Up fund was also unsuccessful.However, the DfT did not forget about the original funding bid and has now included the Tyne Bridge as one of four road schemes across England to receive a share of £160.8M. The funds will take care of the essential maintenance as well as improvement to traffic management and cycle route facilities. The government estimates that these works will generate £130.5M in economic benefits due to the improved local connectivity, reduced congestion and result in improved air quality due to fewer HGVs rerouting through residential areas.Following on from the funding announcement, Newcastle Council will carry out further inspection into the bridge to fully assess its condition. All being well, refurbishment and maintenance should start later this year and take around two years. This package of works will include full re-painting, concrete repairs, drainage improvements, stonework and masonry repairs, bridge deck waterproofing and resurfacing, parapet protection and bridge joint replacement. These works will maintain the load capacity of the structures and future proof the route by alleviating the need for continual ad hoc maintenance works.As there is a population of kittiwake birds living on the bridge, the work will be carefully managed in consultation with wildlife groups to ensure that the works on the main towers take place outside breeding season and with nesting provision provided throughout the works.Work on the Central Motorway is expected to start in 2023 and last until 2026. This will see upgrades along the route to the Tyne Bridge, including resurfacing and waterproofing of the viaduct and bridges, concrete and drainage repairs and new traffic signals and signage.The council will gain access to the funds upon completion of more detailed costings and project phasing plans, which means a full inspection of the Tyne Bridge. This should take place in the coming weeks, and the council will shortly announce dates the bridge will be closed for this to take place.All work should be finished in time for the Tyne Bridge’s centenary in 2028.Transport for the North major roads director Peter Molyneux said: “The Tyne Bridge is an iconic symbol of Tyneside. But it is in need of some TLC to bring it back to its glory and make sure that it fit for the future.“This bridge carries around 60,000 vehicles a day, including almost 900 buses, and all that wear is starting to really show. This funding will allow it and the Central Motorway to be repaired, their load capacity maintained, future proofing the route, the carriageway and the surface. We look forward to the work starting later this year.”Roads minister Baroness Vere said: “We are committed to delivering world-class infrastructure in Newcastle, to ensure the local economy can truly thrive.“This £35.3 million investment will restore the iconic Tyne bridge to its full splendour and improve connectivity through the Central Motorway, giving all road users the modern, safe and uncongested roads they deserve.“This scheme presents yet another important stepping stone towards cutting emissions and building a clean, efficient road network that is truly accessible to all.”Like what you’ve read? To receive New Civil Engineer’s daily and weekly newsletters click here.