Tyne Bridge restoration moves closer despite no guarantees of money to cover £40m repair costs
Transport bosses in Newcastle say a long-overdue restoration of the Tyne Bridge is moving a step closer - but there is still no money guaranteed for the huge project.
The iconic crossing has been in an increasingly sorry state for years and progress on securing funding to restore it to its former glory has been minimal.
Last October, Chancellor Rishi Sunak chose not to fund the project as one of the levelling up schemes in his Budget.
That means local leaders were left to pursue a separate bid for more than £40m to fix up both the rusting bridge and the Central Motorway - a proposal that was lodged with the Department for Transport (DfT) in the summer of 2019 and remains unapproved more than two years later.
A new report to Newcastle City Council's cabinet states that DfT officials are now reviewing the bid with a "mind to grant" it, subject to ministerial approval.
The report, from council transport chief Graham Grant, says such a move would "effectively guarantee" that the much-needed bridge revamp will be funded, so long as it continues to be deemed value for money and final tendered costs are confirmed.
It is hoped that the bridge's restoration, which would take two to three years, can be completed before its centenary in 2028.
The council has suggested that work on the bridge refurbishment could start later this year and the Central Motorway works in 2023.
Coun Ged Bell, the council's cabinet member for transport, said: "Everyone in Newcastle wants to see the Tyne Bridge looking its best - and sadly this is far from being the case right now.
"We know government recognise the importance of this project and we're hopeful this will be one of the final steps in our funding bid so we can start work in the summer."
The funding bid, made via Transport for the North in 2019, totals £41.4m - split equally between the bridge and Central Motorway works.
A council contribution of £4.9m over five years would also be needed for the project, which the cabinet will be asked to agree to on March 21.
Councillors will also be asked to grant approval to appoint specialist contractors to help develop the scheme, identify what it would cost, and then carry out the works.
The bridge's upgrade would include its repainting, resurfacing the road, steelwork and concrete repairs, stonework and masonry fixes, waterproofing, bridge joint replacement, and more.
Coun Bell added: "Approval of the recommendations in this report will enable us to appoint specialist contractors with the relevant experience and knowledge to deliver this really important work as soon as possible."