Calls for rapid progress to fix key bridge

8 December 2025

Daniel HollandLocal Democracy Reporting Service

News image — Another inspection of the Redheugh Bridge is due to go ahead in January

Gateshead Council A highway maintenance vehicle parked on the Redheugh Bridge between Newcastle and Gateshead. The bright yellow vehicle holds a large piece of equipment which is stretched over the side of the bridge. The equipment holds a large ladder which is standing vertical off the side of the bridge. A man in a hi-vis jacket is climbing on to the ladder. — Another inspection of the Redheugh Bridge is due to go ahead in January

Councillors have called for rapid progress to deal with crumbling concrete on a key River Tyne crossing, amid ongoing concerns about its safety.

The Redheugh Bridge, between Newcastle and Gateshead, was found to have cracks as well as damage to a drainage pipe.

While a provisional budget of £1m has been set aside for repairs to the 42-year-old structure, a revised budget is due to be signed off after an inspection in January.

Consultants for both councils have not raised "any big safety concerns", but Newcastle Liberal Democrat Pauline Allen said when it came to safety it was "not something we can be careless about".

A public car park under the northern approach to the bridge was fenced off due to the risk of falling debris, with another area of concern within a private Network Rail car park, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Google The small car park on Pottery Lane. A number of vehicles are parked in the car park, which sits underneath a large concrete bridge. Pottery Lane is on the left-hand side of the picture and runs alongside a high brick wall. — Damaged concrete has been found in a number of places on the Redheugh Bridge

Speaking at a meeting of Newcastle and Gateshead's Joint Tyne Bridges Committee, Allen added: "I think we need to be addressing these issues as quickly as possible.

"I thought after last year when we heard that report that more action would be taken. But from the sounds of it we are still in a very difficult situation regarding safety."

In the meeting, deputy leader of Newcastle City Council, Labour's Alex Hay, agreed with concerns about the bridge's safety and the need for it to be fixed.

He asked council officers to keep the committee informed about the outcome of the survey, which involves an an overnight closure of the structure in January.

Gateshead Council said it would also be inspecting the A695 Scotswood Bridge, the A695 Blaydon Viaduct and the Gateshead Millennium Bridge in the coming months.