A Newcastle MP has called for urgent Government help to avert years of transport chaos when the Tyne Bridge finally undergoes its much-needed restoration.
Chi Onwurah has demanded that ministers intervene, after it emerged this week that the iconic crossing’s refurbishment could take up to four years – twice as long as had been expected. Local council officials also announced that two lanes of traffic on the deteriorating bridge will have to be shut for the duration of the works, sparking fears of nightmare traffic congestion lasting several years.
Ms Onwurah pleaded for a meeting with transport minister Huw Merriman on Thursday to find a way to lessen the impact of the disruptive works, at a time when rail and bus passengers across the North are already being hit by “atrocious” cancellations. The Labour MP for Newcastle Central said during a House of Commons debate: “As well as being a global icon of the north-east, the Tyne Bridge is a critical part of our transport infrastructure.
"We are all the more reliant on it given the atrocious levels of service on the railways and buses, and given the lack of investment in our northern infrastructure, such as Northern Powerhouse Rail.
“The much-needed restoration of the Tyne Bridge from its current dilapidated state will lead to further disruption to our transport links, which really cannot get any worse. Will the Minister meet me urgently to see what can be done to mitigate the impact on our transport links of restoring our great Tyne Bridge to its full glory in time for its 100th birthday?”
Mr Merriman replied that he was “happy” to meet Ms Onwurah. The Tory minister added: “We certainly know that, because our railways were built by our pioneering Victorians, much of the infrastructure needs renewal, some of which can be particularly complex and expensive to deliver. Ownership can have an impact on that as well. I am keen to meet her to find out more and see what we can do.”
70,000 vehicles cross the Tyne Bridge every day, but the crossing will be reduced from two lanes to one lane in each direction during the renovations.
It had been hoped that the revamp, the bridge’s first major maintenance for two decades, would begin in late 2022 and last up to two years. But after investigations revealed the rusting Grade II* listed landmark to be in an even worse state than feared, the expected start date has been delayed to late 2023 and the total completion time could be up to four years.
Full details of what extra repairs are needed have not yet been announced, but a council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the cost of the project should still be covered by a £41.1m package already agreed. Funding to restore both the Tyne Bridge and the Central Motorway was confirmed this summer, with the Government eventually committing more than £35m towards the scheme after years of campaigning from local leaders.
The major project will include steelwork repairs, full grit blasting and repainting, concrete repairs, drainage improvements, stonework and masonry repairs, bridge deck waterproofing and resurfacing, parapet protection and bridge joint replacement. A report on the project is due to be presented to Newcastle and Gateshead councillors at a meeting on December 19.
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