Finished sections bridging the gap from old to new

A QUARTER of the Tyne Bridge's restoration work has now been completed.

- DANIEL HOLLAND Local democracy reporter [e-mail]

Engineers have revealed new images showing major progress on the refurbishment of the North East icon.

With work now completed inside the scaffolding around the bridge's Newcastle tower, it means that 25% of the crossing has now been successfully repaired and repainted in its traditional hollybush green colour with more than 6,000 litres of paint used so far.

Council bosses said on Monday that the once-in-a-generation maintenance project remains on schedule to be finished in time for the Tyne Bridge's 100th anniversary celebrations in October 2028.

John McElroy, cabinet member for the environment and transport at Gateshead Council, said: "The Tyne Bridge is so symbolic of home for anybody from either side of the river and it's really important for people to see the new paint emerge from under the scaffolding.