The bridges that cross the River Tyne linking Newcastle and Gateshead have helped define our region over time.
The words 'Tyne Bridge' immediately conjure up an image of the world-famous arched crossing that has bestrode the river since 1928. But there were previous 'Tyne Bridges', all sited just upriver at the same spot - where the Swing Bridge sits today.
As anyone with an interest in the history of Tyneside will tell you, there was the original Roman crossing called Pons Aelius, built by the Emperor Hadrian around AD 120. Then, after a gap of more than 1,000 years, came the 13th century medieval version.
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This, in fact, was much more than just a bridge - but rather a street over the river, with house, shops, and even a chapel. By the 18th century, there were reports describing the old bridge as “ill-built” and “decayed”, and it was threatened by a series of heavy floods.
Then in 1771 came the so-called “Great Flood”. In what was described as a “calamity... the Tyne Bridge, having stood the brunt of the ages, yielded to the force of the flood”. Much of the bridge was destroyed and it was pulled down. A decade later, in 1781, its replacement was completed - the Georgian, low-arched Tyne Bridge. This, however, was quickly deemed a barrier to increasingly important river traffic and trade and was replaced by the hydraulic Swing Bridge less than a century later in 1876.
Although as a working bridge, it is now long-retired, since its opening in 1876, it is estimated that the Swing Bridge has swung around 300,000 times to allow approximately 500,000 vessels to pass through. 1924 is thought to have been its busiest year, when it opened 6,000 times.
For those who enjoy local history, one of the most interesting social media channels, operating across different platforms, is The Time Travel Artist. Our striking three-minute film, Newcastle: A Bridge Through Time, is one of many created by the account.
Using striking animation, sound effects and background music, the video dramatically depicts the story of the bridges that have come and gone at the location where the Swing Bridge is today - from modern times back to 1604. The man behind The Time Travel Artist is James Fox who points out Newcastle is just one of many towns and cities given then-and-now photographic treatment in video form.
James says: "It is part of a series of projects I have been producing that explores cities around the UK through past and present photo merging animations. It's a technique I have tried to finesse over the past few years on my channel The Time Travel Artist."
Click here to follow The Time Travel Artist on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube.
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