Bridge closure paused for Champions League

The sign for the Great North Run is erected on the Tyne Bridge each year

Work to remove a huge Great North Run (GNR) sign from a bridge will be paused on Thursday night to accommodate a Champions League match.

The Tyne Bridge, between Gateshead and Newcastle, is being closed to traffic each night this week with the crossing due to reopen on Saturday morning.

The road will shut between 20:00 BST and 06:00 every night, with the exception of Thursday when removal work will start at 23:30 because of Newcastle United's game against Barcelona.

A spokesperson for Gateshead Council said the removal is scheduled for several nights to allow for "bad weather" as the work cannot be carried out in high winds.

"They will be using mobile elevating work platforms and truck mounted cranes," the spokesperson said.

"The GNR sign is illuminated at night so the team need to remove not only the sign and the steelwork beams it sits on, but also the electricity supply, given the ongoing restoration work on the Tyne Bridge."

About 60,000 people took part in this year's Great North Run

The bridge will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists at all times but vehicles will face restrictions until Saturday.

The removal is paid for by The Great Run Company.

About 60,000 runners took part in this year's race and were cheered on by more than 200,000 spectators.

The elite women's race was won by Sheila Chepkirui while Alex Mutiso won the men's event.

The half-marathon's organiser apologised to runners after the participation medals depicted a map of Sunderland, despite the city having no involvement in the race.

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