Tyne Bridge renovation works set to move to Newcastle side

Work to shift the restoration of the Tyne Bridge over to the Newcastle side of the iconic landmark has begun.

Road restrictions were installed on the Newcastle Quayside on Monday (5 August), in preparation for a “significant milestone” in the huge renovation project.

Over the next five months, scaffolding will go up around the bridge’s north tower as engineers move across from repairing the Gateshead end of the crossing to the Newcastle side.

After years of waiting, the long-awaited revamp of the Tyne Bridge began in earnest this April and is expected to take until the summer of 2028 to complete – just ahead of the bridge’s centenary celebrations in October that year.

Weight restrictions on the grade II-listed structure have meant that it cannot be entirely covered by scaffolding at once, with the programme of repairs instead being moved across to different sections of it over time.

The work began on the Gateshead end of the bridge and will move to the north tower, before the scaffolding moves gradually across the main span of the bridge and its famous arch.

There were reports of heavy traffic on the Quayside on Monday morning after temporary traffic lights were installed between the junctions of Sandhill and King Street.

That restriction is due to be in place until early September, while only one-way northbound traffic will be allowed on Lombard Street until spring 2026.

Full overnight closures of the Quayside between Sandhill and Broad Chare are planned from 9 to 21 September, after which full access is due to be restored for both vehicles and pedestrians in both directions via tunnels created underneath the scaffolding.

The popular Quayside Market will continue to operate on Sundays, although some stalls may need to be relocated.

Scaffolding has been in place on the Gateshead side of the bridge since late last year, with contractors Esh then starting the restoration works in April after confirmation of £35 million of Government funding for the project.

By late June, nine tonnes of bird poo had been removed from the bridge and engineers had begun repairing steelwork before it can be repainted in the rusted landmark’s traditional green colour.

Cllr Marion Williams, Newcastle City Council’s cabinet member responsible for transport, said: “I’m pleased to see the progress that is being made on this hugely important restoration programme.

"The scaffolding going up around the Newcastle tower will be a significant milestone and will allow work to begin on this side of the river.

“I know that everyone is keen to see the bridge restored to its former glory and I would like to thank them for their patience as our teams carry out this vital work.

"Although some disruption to people’s journeys will be unavoidable we are doing everything we can to keep this to a minimum.”

Lane restrictions cutting the capacity of the bridge itself in half are expected to remain in place for the first two years of the restoration.

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