A massive project to restore the Tyne Bridge to its former glory will finally get underway in September, it has been confirmed.
Refurbishment works on the rusting North East icon have been planned for years and subject to a long-running saga as council bosses tried desperately to secure funding for the £40m-plus project. Transport chiefs have now finalised plans for the renovation scheme, which could last up to four years after inspections in 2022 revealed that the bridge was in an even worse condition than had been feared.
Initial works will begin in September, once the colony of kittiwakes that nest on the grade II listed landmark during the spring and summer months have left, starting with steelwork repairs on the Gateshead end of the crossing. But major disruption for the tens of thousands of drivers who use the bridge every day will not take effect until next year.
