Cullercoats Metro footbridge reopens after £570k revamp

The restored bridge dates back to 1882

A station footbridge dating back to 1882 has reopened after a restoration project lasting eight months.

The Victorian bridge at Cullercoats station was supposed to reopen in January, but Metro operator Nexus said the work took longer than anticipated.

The restoration, which also involved installing new CCTV, cost £570,000.

Nexus said it hoped the refurbishment would mean the bridge would last for "many decades" and the response had been "overwhelmingly positive".

The project also involved cleaning the station's canopy, strengthening bridge steelworks and replacing rotten wooden panels.

The work also included replacing rotten wood panels and strengthening bridge steelworks

Sarah McManus, head of renewals at Nexus, said: "This project forms part of our infrastructure modernisation programme, which is ensuring that Metro will be here for many generations to come.

"Customers seem to be over the moon with the restored bridge. They are delighted that it is bright, light and feels a lot safer.

"We do appreciate that customers had to walk around it for quite a long detour. The response to the work has been overwhelmingly positive."