Tyne Bridge and Central Motorway repairs cut back as flagship project’s costs spiralled

The true impact of spiralling costs on the restoration of the Tyne Bridge and Newcastle's Central Motorway has emerged. Both the iconic bridge and the busy highway through the heart of the city centre are currently undergoing major repairs, via a GBP41.4 million project aimed at returning the Tyne Bridge to its former glory in time for its 100th anniversary in 2028.[1]

The Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed in 2023 how inflation rates and the poor condition of the grade II* listed crossing had caused the expected price of the maintenance works to jump significantly[2], meaning the scheme had to be rethought in order to focus more cash on the critical bridge repairs and less on the Central Motorway. A new report has now detailed exactly what was cut from the project and the planned improvements that are not happening.

The scaling back of the repairs included dropping works on the Tyne Bridge's towers and the non-viaduct sections of the Central Motorway.

Newcastle and Gateshead[3] councils said that the Government-funded programme "continues to represent good value for money" and would "secure the intended safety, reliability, and economic outcomes for the region".

A review by AECOM, requested by the North East Combined Authority (NECA) as part of the process for signing off a final GBP6.3 million needed to complete the repairs[4], states that there would be a "decrease in reported benefits given the elements have been scaled back following scheme cost increases". However, it concludes that there is "reasonable confidence that previous analysis demonstrates the scheme will still deliver sufficient value for money" to justify NECA's spending.

The review states that the section of the Central Motorway being fixed now represents more than 50% of what was previously envisaged and contains approximately 80% of the elevated structures supporting the route. Concerns about the road's safety were raised following the closure of the Gateshead Flyover in 2024 due to fears it was at risk of collapse.

Works listed as descoped or deferred due to funding constraints include:

• Concrete repairs, cleaning, and door and window repairs on the Tyne Bridge towers;
• Grit blasting, steelwork repairs, and repainting of the Tyne Bridge's approach spans;
• Concrete repairs, cleaning, and repointing of the bridge abutments;
• Concrete repairs and barriers on multiple sections of the Central Motorway;
• Waterproofing and protective coating renewals across all Central Motorway structures;
• Architectural or heritage lighting, public realm, and aesthetic enhancements;
• Any additional resilience or future-proofing measures beyond the "core structural interventions".

The councils said that they would reconsider the dropped works for future repair projects at the earliest opportunity, and that inspections had shown "no immediate risk to the public or to the structural integrity of the assets".

A spokesperson for Newcastle City Council[5] said: "With rising costs and inflation, since the original bid was submitted in 2019, as well as additional repairs identified on the Tyne Bridge, this has resulted in funding constraints and both major projects have had to be reprofiled to fit the available funding.

"This has meant some works that we would like to have included have had to be deferred until additional funding streams can be identified. This includes works to the granite towers, with windows and doors being replaced, internal repairs to the towers, including concrete and drainage repairs, as well as improving access arrangements.

The Central Motorway in Newcastle Upon Tyne where traffic has been reduced to just one lane in both directions.(Image: ChronicleLive)

"This has also meant reducing the scope of works to central motorway to concentrate on the viaduct section where joint replacement, waterproofing and drainage works and concrete repairs are taking place. Once further funding becomes available, we will repair the additional structures along the route, although these have been thoroughly inspected and there are no safety risks to the public or to the structural integrity of these assets.

"However, we would stress that we are not even half-way through the four-year programme and will continue to seek additional funding where further opportunities arise to allow the full scope of works to be completed.

Both projects are progressing well and remain on schedule."

Newcastle's Liberal Democrats said they were "troubled" by the reduction in scale of the repairs.

The group's leader, Colin Ferguson, added: "It is hardly the grand job that had been promised and some parts appear to be being scaled back to the bare bones.

"We are particularly seeking clarity on the implications of this for the de-scoped commitments on the Central Motorway as we consider it is essential to keep a close eye on its ongoing maintenance needs, how that will be funded, and over what timeframe."

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References

1. ^ returning the Tyne Bridge to its former glory in time for its 100th anniversary in 2028. (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
2. ^ revealed in 2023 how inflation rates and the poor condition of the grade II* listed crossing had caused the expected price of the maintenance works to jump significantly (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
3. ^ Gateshead (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
4. ^ final GBP6.3 million needed to complete the repairs (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
5. ^ Newcastle City Council (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
6. ^ Here's more information (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
7. ^ clicking here (www.google.com)