Tyne Bridge repairs: Drivers warned as four years of work begins

Traffic on the Tyne Bridge is now restricted to one lane in each direction

Drivers are facing four years of disruption after restrictions were brought in across the Tyne Bridge, as part of major repair work.

Capacity has been reduced to one lane in both directions across the bridge, which connects Gateshead and Newcastle.

Restrictions are set to last for at least two years, before work continues for a further 24 months until 2028.

Newcastle City Council said it was "delighted" work was starting, but businesses have spoken of concerns.

Heavy congestion is expected on other routes across the Tyne, with people advised to use public transport.

The four-year programme to preserve the Grade II*-listed structure is expected to be complete by summer 2028, ahead of the bridge's centenary in October that year.

• Tyne Bridge repairs: All you need to know

Daniel Wilkinson, managing director of Albany Contract Furniture, in Gateshead, said the work "clearly needs to be done" but that he was worried about the timescale.

"It is inevitably going to have an impact upon our business in terms of attracting customers to our premises and getting deliveries in and out," Mr Wilkinson told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"Our staff come both south and the north of the river, so their journey times to commute into work are going to be impacted, which inevitably is going to add to the disruption that we are experiencing."

However, the project's construction manager, Stephen McClain, said the work was "not just a lick of paint".

"This is a major repair to futureproof it for the next 120 years," he explained.

"It is an icon of the North East and it's an icon from an engineering perspective. It's an absolute joy to be working on this scheme."

People have been encouraged to walk, cycle or take public transport rather than drive over the bridge

The work will see more than 900 steelwork repairs carried out, engineers said, with an expected cost in the region of £32m.

The last work on the bridge took place more than 20 years ago.

Restrictions will effectively halve the capacity of the bridge, which is used by up to 70,000 vehicles a day.

People have been advised to avoid travel through the centres of Newcastle and Gateshead, stay on the major trunk roads and use other river crossings such as the A1, A19, Tyne Tunnel and Scotswood Bridge.

Anneliese Hutchinson, the council's service director for climate change, compliance, planning and transport, said: "We're asking for everyone in the North East to help us minimise the disruption that the restoration will cause to the transport network.

"Please follow our travel advice, make the switch to public transport or walking and cycling if you can, and together we can reduce the number of journeys on the bridge, and help keep the area moving."

For the latest traffic and travel news, listen to BBC Radio Newcastle on BBC Sounds.