Bolts to blame for suspended ferry service
NexusTransport bosses have said a ferry service is suspended due to damaged bolts at its landing, which need to be replaced.
The Shields Ferry, which would usually cross the river 60 times a day, has been out of action since January 29 after being damaged during Storm Chandra and will be suspended for at least the rest of February.
Operator Nexus said as well as the bolts needing to be replaced by specialist marine engineers, the structure also needed further specialist surveys before it could safely reopen.
A replacement bus service is running for passengers during the repair work.
After years of warnings and repeated delays in the effort to replace the Smiths Dock landing, a new one at the North Shields Fish Quay is expected to open in 2027 at a cost of £24m.
Nexus told the Local Democracy Reporting Service it was still assessing the cost of fixing the current landing in the meantime.
Head of customer service operations John Souter said the works would take "at least a few weeks".
Souter said: "The damage to the North Shields landing which is causing the current service suspension is structural.
"The repairs will be funded by Nexus and we are in the process of confirming the cost."
Cyclists trying to cross the river have been advised to use the Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel rather than the replacement bus, as bikes are not allowed on the buses, but that is further up river between Jarrow and Howdon.
