Bridge funds rubber-stamped to aid centenary refurb

Work on the Tyne crossing has been ongoing for more than a year

The restoration of the Tyne Bridge will be completed in time for the structure's centenary year, officials say, after significant funding was allocated.

The North East Combined Authority (Neca) has green-lit more than £6m to finish the work in time for the crossing's centenary in October 2028.

The funding was initially announced in June as part of a £1.85bn investment in the region's transport from central government.

Neca now says it has "brought forward" the money, with agreement from the Chancellor and the Department for Transport (DfT), in light of the pressing timescale.

Restoration of the bridge began in April 2024.

Regional 'landmark'

An initial £35.2m was provided by the DfT, but then Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also pledged to provide another £6.2m that would cover the full costs of upgrading the Grade II* listed crossing and the Central Motorway.

Labour placed the award of the additional money under review after the general election last year, leading to fears among local leaders the funding would be cut.

However, in June, the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed Neca was planning to use a portion of the investment into the region's transport to restore the bridge.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting in Dunston this week, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: "We are allocating some of the £18.6bn that will transform the region's transport.

"That includes £6.3m to restore the iconic Tyne Bridge in time for the centenary.

"I'm so pleased that we have now secured that funding. There was no way that anybody around this table was ever giving up until we did.

"It would be completely unacceptable to not have the bridge up to standard when we are celebrating that landmark for our region."

Deputy leader of Newcastle City Council, councillor Alex Hay, added: "It would be remiss of me as the representative from Newcastle not to mention how overjoyed we are to receive the additional funding needed to restore the Tyne Bridge in time for its centenary in 2028."