Tyne Bridge Closure Set to Cause Traffic Chaos Over Half-Term

The Tyne Bridge is to completely close for 10 days at the end of October to all vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists to prepare for the next phase of refurbishment.

Warnings have been issued about major traffic disruptions around the Newcastle and Gateshead area as the Tyne Bridge will be closed from October 23, at 11pm until November 2, at 5am.

Newcastle City Council have urged people to plan alternative routes ahead of these disruptions.

Local resident Cher Ridley has expressed concerns about the extra costs and time commuters in this area will have to face: “The Tyne Tunnel is £2.60 a journey. Add that onto the price of the fuel and the time it takes to drive a different route, it’s going to cost a lot more to do this.

“The Tyne Tunnel is struggling at peak times as it is at the moment, and can take up to 20 minutes to get through.  Imagine what the traffic is going to be like when the bridge is closed.”

Tyne Bridge under refurbishment, photo credits: Niamh Oherlihy

This closure will allow specialist teams to build scaffolding ahead of plans to work on the bridges main steel arch, scheduled for the beginning of 2027.

Both Newcastle and Gateshead City Council have emphasised the importance of the bridges complete closure.

Cllr Colin Ferguson, Leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “Over the last two years, significant progress and a major transformation have taken place on the lower sections of the bridge, and now the work progresses to the main bridge arch.

“But to get to this crucial stage, a 10-day closure of the Tyne Bridge is necessary.”

Cllr Nick Allan, Leader of Gateshead Council, said:”We urge people across Tyneside to be patient when this 10-day closure is in place, as we all have the same objective, to see restoration completed in 2028.”

Tyne Bridge under repairs a week before closure, photo credits: Niamh Oherlihy

Over night closures are expected throughout  November, Monday to Friday from 8pm until 6am on the bridge to complete scaffolding work. Access for pedestrians and cyclists will still be allowed during this phase.

Refurbishments on the bridge began in 2024 and remain on track to be completed ahead of its 100th anniversary in October 2028.

As well as the bridge closure, there is a nine day Metro closure planned between Monkseaton and St.James.