Further delays to tunnel completion

The refurbishment of the crossing between Jarrow and Howdon started more than a decade ago

The completed refurbishment of a Grade II listed tunnel has been delayed again.

Work on the Tyne Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnel started more than a decade ago, but remains incomplete.

While the crossing reopened in summer 2019, the installation of two glass lifts has been delayed after repeated disruption blamed on the Covid pandemic, difficulty acquiring parts and the original contractor going bust.

A final inspection of the lifts was due in May, however the North East Combined Authority (NECA) said it is now scheduled for "early Autumn".

NECA told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that a final cost for the project will be published once the works are completed.

In 2020 it was revealed the cost of the entire tunnel renovation stood at £16.9m; well above the initial £6.9m earmarked for the project.

Following that, additional lift works cost a further £292,000 in the 2021-22 financial year and bills of £281,000 were estimated in 2022-23.

NECA said the completion of works is "imminent"

The tunnel was originally closed in May 2013 and reopened in 2019, several years later than planned due to the discovery of asbestos and a change of contractor.

No firm timescale has been put on when the lifts are now expected to be up and running, with their operation subject to an inspection of modifications.

But NECA said this will be done "as soon as possible", and that it will "communicate timescales for the opening of the lifts once we have greater certainty following the final inspections".

Once finished, they will carry up to six cyclists and their bikes per trip.

Meanwhile, the authority has warned it might be necessary to take the lifts out of service "for short periods" following their first few weeks of operation.

This will be to "respond to any issues that could arise with the commencement of sustained 24/7 use by the public".