Tyne Bridge maintenance bid moves closer

A £41.4m funding bid has been submitted to government which, if approved, will enable a four-year maintenance programme for the Tyne Bridge and the Central Motorway to go ahead.

A report to Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet states that the Department for Transport is reviewing the business case and will be putting advice to Ministers on whether the project should be funded. Ministers are being asked to give ‘programme entry’ approval, which would mean the funding would be granted once finalised project plans and detailed costings are provided.

To enable this to happen, the city council is seeking approval to appoint specialist contractors to help develop the work programme, identify costings and then, subject to funding being released, carry out the works.

Cabinet members are being asked to note the progress made in the bid to secure funding and agree to proceed with steps required for appointing contractors to work on the project.

They will also be asked to agree a local funding contribution towards the works, which is expected to be around £4.9m, to come from annual funding for transport over five years.

Cllr Ged Bell, cabinet member for development, neighbourhoods and transport at Newcastle City Council, said: “Everyone in Newcastle wants to see the Tyne Bridge looking it’s best – and sadly this is far from being the case right now.

“We know government recognise the importance of this project and we’re hopeful this will be one of the final steps in our funding bid so we can start work in the summer.

“Approval of the recommendations in this report will enable us to appoint specialist contractors with the relevant experience and knowledge to deliver this really important work as soon as possible.”

If government approves the final funding bid it is expected that the maintenance and refurbishment of the Tyne Bridge could start later this year, with work on Central Motorway getting under way in 2023 and a final completion date of work on the motorway in 2026.

Cabinet will meet to discuss the project on Monday 21 March.