Landmark's big anniversary unlikely to go with a swing

TYNESIDE’S famous Swing Bridge looks certain to remain broken for its 150th anniversary next year.

- DANIEL HOLLAND

> The Swing Bridge over the River Tyne, which celebrates its 150th anniversary next year, last successfully swung open six years ago

Bosses have been accused of “neglecting” the malfunctioning Victorian landmark, with little sign of its rotating mechanism being repaired - six years after the bridge last successfully swung open.

While Newcastle Central and West MP Chi Onwurah had led a campaign to have the Swing Bridge fixed in time to celebrate its 150th birthday in summer 2026, there have been concerns for years about the complexity of the job and the significant funding it will require.

Furious councillors warned yesterday that the situation had become “rather embarrassing”.

Members of Newcastle and Gateshead councils’ Joint Tyne Bridges Committee were told that local authority officials and the Port of Tyne, which is responsible for the bridge’s swinging mechanism, would meet in the new year ahead of a feasibility study being launched to determine the scale of the repairs required and their costs.