Investment in Redheugh Bridge
Councillors from Gateshead and Newcastle will be asked to support further investment in repairs to the 42-year-old Redheugh Bridge across the Tyne.
In August this year, specialist consultants started a Principal Inspection of the bridge during a full day closure, as well as council staff carrying out some repairs to the drainage system and one of the pedestrian barriers that was damaged in an accident when an HGV blew over in high winds.
The Principal Inspection will be completed during an overnight closure in January 2026. As well as inspecting the bridge in general, information will be collected for a "post-tensioned risk review" which will show whether a Post-tensioned Special Inspection (PTSI) will be needed.
The two councils announced at this time last year that the Redheugh Bridge required some significant maintenance, and they had set aside £1m as a provisional budget for this.
Any expenditure on maintenance of the bridges across the Tyne is funded by the two councils based on the size of their populations - so currently Newcastle 60%, Gateshead 40%.
Another issue requiring attention is some spalling (crumbling or flaking) of the concrete on the structure supporting the Newcastle approach viaduct which stands over a car park.
Fencing has been installed around one pier to secure the area and protect vehicles from any potential damage.
The two councils are aiming to resolve the drainage issues, address the concrete spalling, and deal with any other issues arising from the Principal Inspection, under one contract.
An accurate budget estimate will be developed over the coming months, with the aim of funds being included in the councils' budgets for 2026/27.
Colin Swinney, Service Director for Highways and Waste, said: "We are glad to be taking this programme of works forward.
"We try to ensure repairs and maintenance work is all scheduled to take place on the same day, to minimise the time we need to close vital infrastructure like the Redheugh Bridge. We avoid peak times as much as possible, depending upon the nature of the repairs and maintenance required. This is part of the comprehensive programme of inspections we have planned across the area.
Over the coming months we will also be inspecting the A695 Scotswood Bridge, the A695 Blaydon Viaduct as well as the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and our programme also includes a further 12 inspections of other structures planned for 2026."
Councillors from Gateshead and Newcastle will be asked to support further investment in repairs to the 42-year-old Redheugh Bridge across the Tyne.
In August this year, specialist consultants started a Principal Inspection of the bridge during a full day closure, as well as council staff carrying out some repairs to the drainage system and one of the pedestrian barriers that was damaged in an accident when an HGV blew over in high winds.
The Principal Inspection will be completed during an overnight closure in January 2026. As well as inspecting the bridge in general, information will be collected for a "post-tensioned risk review" which will show whether a Post-tensioned Special Inspection (PTSI) will be needed.
The two councils announced at this time last year that the Redheugh Bridge required some significant maintenance, and they had set aside £1m as a provisional budget for this.
Any expenditure on maintenance of the bridges across the Tyne is funded by the two councils based on the size of their populations - so currently Newcastle 60%, Gateshead 40%.
Another issue requiring attention is some spalling (crumbling or flaking) of the concrete on the structure supporting the Newcastle approach viaduct which stands over a car park.
Fencing has been installed around one pier to secure the area and protect vehicles from any potential damage.
The two councils are aiming to resolve the drainage issues, address the concrete spalling, and deal with any other issues arising from the Principal Inspection, under one contract.
An accurate budget estimate will be developed over the coming months, with the aim of funds being included in the councils' budgets for 2026/27.
Colin Swinney, Service Director for Highways and Waste, said: "We are glad to be taking this programme of works forward.
"We try to ensure repairs and maintenance work is all scheduled to take place on the same day, to minimise the time we need to close vital infrastructure like the Redheugh Bridge. We avoid peak times as much as possible, depending upon the nature of the repairs and maintenance required. This is part of the comprehensive programme of inspections we have planned across the area.
Over the coming months we will also be inspecting the A695 Scotswood Bridge, the A695 Blaydon Viaduct as well as the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and our programme also includes a further 12 inspections of other structures planned for 2026."
