Victorian footbridge restored to 'former glory'

The bridge at Cullercoats station was closed on 23 August last year

A Victorian railway bridge has been restored, meaning Metro passengers will no longer have to use an inconvenient diversion to switch platforms.

The footbridge at Cullercoats station was closed in late August so its windows could be repaired and its steelwork strengthened.

The work was meant to be completed in January but were finally completed this month.

A spokesperson for Tyne & Wear Metro operator Nexus thanked station users for their patience over the last eight months.

While the bridge was out of action, people had to walk along three streets to switch platforms.

The £579,000 project was not completed until April because additional parts of the bridge were found to need “further attention”, Nexus said.

As part of the works, new CCTV cameras were installed and decorative dagger boards on the station’s canopies were replaced.

The bridge reopened on Wednesday.

Nexus official Sarah McManus said the team appreciated the “alternative walking route between the two platforms had been an inconvenience for people”.

She said it was a “real thrill” to restore the footbridge, which was built in 1882, back to its “former glory”.