Major bridge route to close for summer

Middlesbrough's Newport Bridge is 90 years old

A historic bridge will close for major maintenance work over the summer.

Newport Bridge, which spans the River Tees, will be closed to traffic for about seven weeks from 8 July, Stockton Borough Council said.

The £1.5m maintenance work will include bridge and joint bearing replacement, carriageway resurfacing and improvements to drainage channels and waterproofing.

The A1032 from Newport roundabout to Portrack interchange will be closed to most traffic, but pedestrian access over the bridge will be maintained, the council said.

The authority said signed diversions would be in place, with access maintained for nearby businesses only.

From the Portrack interchange, traffic should follow the signed diversion onto A19 southbound, exit to A66 eastbound for Middlesbrough, then exit A66 eastbound to Newport roundabout.

Traffic from Newport roundabout will be signed via a reverse route.

The project is being managed by Stockton and Middlesbrough councils.

Apologising for any inconvenience caused, Reuben Kench, Stockton council's director of community services, environment and culture, said: "Newport Bridge is an iconic structure and is now 90 years old, so it’s little surprise that these maintenance works are required."