Tunnel scheme cost £11m more than planned

THE cost of the heavily-delayed renovation of the Tyne Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnel was more than £11 million higher than planned.

- By DANIEL HOLLAND

A lengthy refurbishment of the river crossing took more than a decade to complete, after the project suffered from a range of setbacks.

The final stage of the works was completed 12 months ago, when two bespoke glass lifts were finally unveiled to the public.

North East transport bosses have now confirmed to The Chronicle that the final bill for the revamp of the 1950s tunnel came in at £18.2 million significantly more than the initial expected cost of £6.9 million.

The troublesome glass lifts alone cost £2 million and had become a source of major frustration, suffering long and repeated delays blamed on issues including the disruption of the Covid pandemic, replacing the Italian firm originally contracted to install the lifts, and difficulties in acquiring parts.