Tyne Bridge to close during October half-term

Significant travel disruption is expected during the October half-term when the Tyne Bridge closes for 10 days.

Newcastle City Council has urged people to plan their journeys ahead of the full closure, which will allow specialist teams to build scaffolding ahead of work on the bridge's main steel arch, scheduled to begin in early 2027.

Unlike previous closures, access will not be maintained for pedestrians and cyclists for safety reasons.

Council leader Colin Ferguson said: "We fully recognise that this will be disruptive, which is why we have carefully planned this with our contractor to ensure this complex stage is programmed during the half-term break, with fewer cars on the road."

The council said the work, between 23 October and 2 November, will allow the bridge to remain open when work begins on the arch next year.

Ferguson said: "Newcastle and Gateshead are very much open for business during this period.

"We are urging people to plan ahead, allow more time for journeys and use public transport where possible as we continue to restore an icon to its former glory."

Up to 70% of the deck will be completed during the full closure, with the remainder to be completed in overnight closures to vehicles lasting up to four weeks in November.

Since the project began in April 2024, more than 2,000 repairs have been made to the bridge, ahead of its 100th anniversary celebrations in October 2028.

As well as the bridge closure, travel disruption is also expected in half-term, with a nine-day Metro closure planned between Monkseaton and St James.

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