The bid was originally submitted this summer, and would involve repainting the bridge and carrying out overdue vital structural repairs. Speaking at the time, local cabinet member for transport and air quality Cllr Arlene Ainsley said: “The Tyne Bridge is not only an iconic North East landmark, it is also a key gateway to our city and the wider region, which we are committed to preserving for future generations. We are working closely with Gateshead Council and Transport for the North to source funding to completely refurbish the bridge, which includes the sizeable task of painting the structure, as well as major maintenance works to the Central Motorway which leads to the bridge.”
"Initial plans to restrict lanes and add tolls to the Tyne, Swing, and Redheugh bridge have been especially controversial and have been revised"
The council also hope that this £40m funding would partly aid their vital work to improve illegal air quality levels in the city, an issue which has been contentious amongst road users in Newcastle.
Initial plans to restrict lanes and add tolls to the Tyne, Swing, and Redheugh bridge have been especially controversial and have been revised, with new plans going out for a six-week public consultation in the coming weeks. New proposals see HGVs, buses, coaches, taxis, and vans a fee to enter the area, with the aim of diverting heavy polluting areas away from the city centre.
