News Beat
Huge Tyne Bridge repairs on track to finish by 2028
The past 12 months have seen the huge repair project take significant strides forward – most notably after a final £6 million of funding was secured to complete the works before the bridge’s October 2028 centenary.
And locals can expect to see more big changes on the famous landmark through 2026.
Steelwork repairs and repainting will be completed on the parapet wall on the western side of the bridge and pedestrians will start using the western footway again in late January, as work switches over to the eastern site.
Scaffolding is currently being dismantled around the bridge’s Newcastle tower, revealing fully restored sections of the grade II* listed crossing, and the same will then happen on the underside of the main bridge deck.
In autumn 2026, new scaffolding will then be erected above the main carriageway used by tens of thousands of vehicles crossing the Tyne every day – creating a protection deck that will pave the way for contractors Esh to move their repairs up the bridge’s archway through 2027.
Steven Garrigan, divisional director at Esh Construction, said: “It has been another successful year on the Tyne Bridge restoration as we continue to meet the target programme and make further strides towards fully repairing the structure for future generations.
“As a local contractor, we have a deep understanding of the region which enables us to maximise the impact of our social value initiatives within the local community. We have already surpassed our targets set for the whole project by more than 300% and remain committed to creating further opportunities in 2026 and beyond.”
The total funding package for the Tyne Bridge restoration now stands at £38.9 million – made up of grant money from the Department for Transport (DfT), around £5 million put in by Newcastle and Gateshead councils, and the outstanding £6.3 million confirmed by North East mayor Kim McGuinness this June.
Since the maintenance scheme started in earnest in April 2024, the estimated number of individual repairs required on the rusted landmark has more than doubled to above 2,000.
As well as a full repaint in the traditional Hollybush Green, the Tyne Bridge is also undergoing wide-ranging structural repairs for the first time in more than 20 years.
That includes fixes to steelwork, concrete, masonry, waterproofing, and drainage improvements.
Nonetheless, the restoration work remains on course to finish in the summer of 2028 as things stand.
Coun John McElroy, cabinet member for the environment and transport at Gateshead Council, said “This is such a vital project for Tyneside and the whole of the North East region. It’s been great having the opportunity to see the restoration work up close, and speak to the team delivering all the repairs and painting, and seeing how tough it is for them to work in often confined spaces.
“We’re also delighted to see how much of the budget is being spent locally, so not only do we get our famous bridge back in first class condition, we also see wider benefits for our communities.”
According to Newcastle City Council, almost £23 million of the bridge repair budget has been spent with North East-based firms so far.
The project is thought to have created around 80 jobs, delivered 288 weeks worth of apprenticeships, and involved 10,624 students and schoolchildren in educational outreach programmes.
An auction of original bridge rivets has also raised more than £15,000 for local charities.
Cllr Juna Sathian, cabinet member for transport and climate at Newcastle City Council said: “2025 was another impressive year for the teams working on the Tyne Bridge and I have enjoyed being on site to see the progress for myself.
“What is also wonderful about this project is the passion and commitment from everyone involved who are so proud to be working on the defining symbol of the North East.
“As well as restoring an icon to its former glory, I am also proud of the social value element, which is keeping money in the local economy, boosting local businesses, inspiring young people to be the next generation of engineers, providing people with a fantastic start to their career by working on the iconic Tyne Bridge, as well as supporting our local communities through charity donations.”
