Tyne Bridge to close to motorists overnight this week as scaffolding dismantled

The Tyne Bridge is set to close to motorists overnight for three nights this week as scaffolding comes down on the Gateshead side of the regional landmark.

The closures come just days after the public got a glimpse of the first revamped sections repainted in the classic "Hollybush" green. Passersby can see the first repaired section of the bridge parapet and the underside of the main road deck, with the scaffolding and kittiwake hotels set to be taken town from 8pm until 6am on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

Temporary lighting will be installed as the historic lighting columns are set to be repaired as part of the restoration works. Work will then move across to the Newcastle side of the bridge, where scaffolding will be gradually erected over the coming works, ahead of the restoration work beginning on that section early next year.

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Though the bridge will close to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians will still be able to cross between Newcastle and Gateshead. Coun Juna Sathian, cabinet member for climate and transport at Newcastle City Council, said: "This is a hugely complex and challenging project and it’s great that people can now see for themselves the results of the restoration work, which has been taking place for many months behind the scaffolding.

"There is a real sense of passion and pride from everyone involved in the restoration programme as we proudly restore this icon to its former glory. This first glimpse gives us an idea of how amazing our much-loved bridge will look when the restoration programme is complete, and I can’t wait to see the end result."

The revamp of the Tyne Bridge began in April and is expected to take until the summer of 2028 to complete – just ahead of its 100th anniversary in October the same year. Weight restrictions on the grade II* listed structure mean it cannot be entirely covered by scaffolding at once, with the programme of repairs instead being moved across to different sections of it over time.

Restoring the Tyne Bridge to its former glory is expected to cost £32 million, though it is part of a larger £41.4 million project that also includes improvements on part of the Central Motorway. As well as a full repaint, the bridge is in need of a large number of structural repairs – including steelwork fixes, waterproofing and road resurfacing.

However, there remains uncertainty over the final £6 million of promised funding for the refurb. After last Wednesday's Budget failed to clarify whether or not the cash will be delivered, Department for Transport (DfT) officials confirmed to ChronicleLive on Thursday that the scheme remained under review.