Over £35 million invested into Tyne Bridge and Central Motorway
Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists in Newcastle will benefit from reduced congestion and cleaner air thanks to essential improvement work
Today (Friday 3 June) the Government has announced it will invest £35.3 million to carry out essential maintenance to enhance the structural vitality of both the Tyne Bridge and Central Motorway and make them fit for the future.
The upgrades will generate £130.5 million in local economic benefits through improved connectivity, increased investment in the community and better opportunities for sustainable travel.
The works will improve the attractiveness of the Tyne Bridge and its connections for cycling and walking, while reducing congestion and slashing journey times.
The Department of Transport say the improvements are crucial because they avoid the need to impose any future weight restrictions and lane closures on the bridge. Without the works, HGVs may have been rerouted to residential areas in Newcastle leading to increased congestion and worsening air quality.
Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: “We are committed to delivering world-class infrastructure in Newcastle, to ensure the local economy can truly thrive.
“This £35.3 million investment will restore the iconic Tyne bridge to its full splendour and improve connectivity through the Central Motorway, giving all road users the modern, safe and uncongested roads they deserve.
“This scheme presents yet another important stepping stone towards cutting emissions and building a clean, efficient road network that is truly accessible to all.”
The Tyne Bridge will benefit from a raft of crucial improvements, the first significant upgrades to the landmark since 2001. These include waterproofing and resurfacing of the bridge deck, joint replacement, parapet repair, stonework repairs, new safety fencing, repairs to drainage and a full repainting of the whole structure.
The Bridge and the Central Motorway will also enjoy new street lighting and route signage to boost safety alongside traffic management and cycle route connectivity improvements.
The Department for Transport will provide a £35.3 million in funding, with Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council contributing between them £6.1 million for an overall investment of £41.4 million.
These maintenance work mark the first ever upgrades to the Central Motorway since it was first opened in 1975.
Leader of Newcastle City Council, Councilor Nick Kemp said: “This is fantastic news for the city and the North East. Our much-loved bridge, which is a symbol of home for Geordies all over the world, will soon be shining proudly in the Newcastle skyline once again.
"This funding is not simply for repainting but is a complete refurbishment of the bridge that will involve exploring innovative and environmental approaches in this work.
“We’ve campaigned passionately to have the bridge restored in advance of its centenary, so I am pleased that the importance of the bridge, not only as an iconic landmark of the North East but also as a major gateway to the city, has been recognised by government.
“We’ve been getting ready for this moment, so we can start refurbishment at the earliest opportunity and see our amazing bridge restored to its former glory and preserved for future generations.”
The investment follows a string of Government measures to encourage active travel and help level up the country by improving road infrastructure. These include £200 million to encourage cycling and walking, more than £5 billion over 2020 to 2025 for highways maintenance and the introduction of a new inspection regime to tackle the plague of potholes.
Peter Molyneux, Major Roads Director at Transport for the North, said: “The Tyne Bridge is an iconic symbol of Tyneside. But it is in need of some TLC to bring it back to its glory and make sure that it fit for the future.
“This bridge carries around 60,000 vehicles a day, including almost 900 buses, and all that wear is starting to really show. This funding will allow it and the Central Motorway to be repaired, their load capacity maintained, future proofing the route, the carriageway and the surface. We look forward to the work starting later this year.”
The Tyne Bridge and Central Motorway scheme has received approval in principle. This is now conditional on the local council submitting final business cases, once legal permissions are secured, and have carried out procurement to select a contractor.