Drivers are being asked to avoid the Redheugh Bridge as the �1.5m programme of major work gets underway.

The bridge on the A189 will be down to a single lane in each direction for six months, starting on 16 May.

Engineers have timed the work to take advantage of lighter traffic and longer days enabling work to start earlier in the day and continue into the evening.

Inspections have shown that the bridge's waterproof membrane needs to be replaced.

The membrane lies beneath the surface of the road and prevents rain water and salt from damaging the main bridge structure.

The original waterproof membrane was designed to last 20 years and has now come to the end of its life.

It will be replaced by a new material which is designed to last for 40 years.

'Alternative routes'

Gateshead Council's Director of Development and Enterprise John Robinson said the work was unavoidable.

He said: "If we don't replace the waterproof membrane on the bridge's concrete deck, then rainwater and salt will play havoc with the main structure of the bridge.

"The result of that will be much longer, and much more expensive, repairs.

"Doing nothing is simply not an option. Road bridges are like the cars that use them - they both eventually fall to pieces if you don't maintain them. "

Engineers will also be renewing the bridge's expansion joints, in the first major repairs to be carried out on the Redheugh Bridge since it opened in 1983.

Mr Robinson said: "All we can do is to appeal to drivers to be patient or use alternative routes."