Safety defects found in Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel
PA MediaSignificant "safety and operational defects" have been discovered at the Tyne Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnels.
The two vertical lifts at the underwater crossing have been taken out of service for urgent repair works.
It is the latest serious maintenance issue at the Grade II-listed tunnels, following a heavily-delayed and over-budget renovation which eventually concluded in 2024.
A spokesperson for the North East mayoral authority said: "A recent survey of the vertical lifts identified several issues requiring repair and, as a result, the lifts were withdrawn from service while the necessary works are carried out."
A report from the North East mayor's office, which owns and manages the tunnels, has confirmed a recent survey identified a number of significant safety and operational defects with the two vertical lifts.
They were taken out of action on 25 September and are expected to remain inoperable for several weeks.
The issues leave the two inclined lifts as the public's only means of accessing the tunnels while an £87,000 repair scheme is carried out.
They will also be out of use for scheduled servicing works on 13, 14, 20 and 21 October, when a replacement shuttle bus will operate between Jarrow and Howdon from 08:00 to 16:00 BST.
A spokesperson for the North East Mayoral Authority said: "We apologise for the inconvenience caused to tunnel users and are working to complete the repairs as quickly as possible."
The tunnels are used by more than 20,000 pedestrians and cyclists on average each month.
Originally built in the 1950s, they underwent a major refurbishment project that began in May 2013.
It was originally hoped they would be ready to reopen in 2015, but the discovery of asbestos and main contractor GB Building Solutions going bust meant they did not reopen to the public until 2019.
The overall project was eventually completed in November 2024 after a series of repeated delays to the inclined lifts' installation, blamed on issues including the coronavirus pandemic and difficulty acquiring parts.
The cost of the scheme ultimately ran to £18.2m, despite an initial budget of £6.9m.