The Tyne Bridge: Restoring an Icon

Restoration work on the Grade II* listed landmark first began in September 2023, after an inspection in Summer 2022. This uncovered corrosion to steelwork as a result of damage to the road surface, drainage, and paintwork on the bridge. In a press release issued to The Courier, Talk of the Tyne, an event hosted by the Northumberland and Newcastle Society, outlined the ongoing project of the Newcastle icon.

Councillor Marion Williams, cabinet member for Newcastle City Council, and Pamela Holmes, Assistant Director of Transport for Newcastle City Council, discussed the task of restoring the structure. Williams’ and Holmes’ speech noted how balancing this while managing traffic flow of up to 70,000 vehicles a day has created a sizeable logistical puzzle that restoration has to work around.

Esh Construction is delivering the project on behalf of both Newcastle and Gateshead councils. The £35.3 million programme was granted by the UK Government as part of their Network North plan to improve local transport in the North-East.

The project began on the main bridge deck in April 2024, with grit blasting to remove 96 years of previous paint coatings, this allowed for steelwork to be cleaned and repaired where required. This was then repainted in its distinctive ‘Hollybush’ colour and first unveiled to the public in October 2024. 

In August, work moved to the Newcastle-side of the river as scaffolding began to be erected. This was necessary to prepare for the next phase of restoration works, beginning in January 2025. Four overnight closures from 8pm until 6am from January 7th to 10th allowed for large-scale equipment to arrive on site. Such equipment will allow for the remaining phases of the four-year programme to be carried out efficiently. 

"Work is progressing well on the project"

Councillor John McElroy said, “Work is progressing well on the project and it is great to see the contractors moving on to the next phase of the bridge restoration”.

Councillor Juna Sathian added, “2025 is shaping up to be another busy year on site [...] and we will share further updates on these next stages of the project as this viral work continues”.

Over the course of the project, 20 phases of the structure will be clad in scaffolding to allow for continued grit blasting and repairs, this means that passersby will not be always able to see the restoration progress, until the scaffold is removed. 

The programme is scheduled to be completed in Summer 2028, ahead of the bridge’s centenary in October 2028.