Skip to content

Tyne Bridge to close during October half-term

Dan Hall
News imageNewcastle City Council Restored section of the Tyne Bridge showing scaffolding and the structure's heavily riveted lower west arch, freshly painted in the shade Hollybush Green. Signage reading 'Great North Run' has been installed on the frame of the bridge. Newcastle City Council
Commuters are being urged to plan their journeys ahead of the 10-day full closure
Andy Watson
Grace Stewart-PiercyNorth East and Cumbria

Significant travel disruption is expected during the October half-term when the Tyne Bridge closes for 10 days.

Newcastle City Council has urged people to plan their journeys ahead of the full closure, which will allow specialist teams to build scaffolding ahead of work on the bridge's main steel arch, scheduled to begin in early 2027.

Unlike previous closures, access will not be maintained for pedestrians and cyclists for safety reasons.

Pamela Holmes, assistant director of transport for Newcastle City Council said: "We understand this will be a frustrating time but we've aimed to minimise disruption scheduling the works for half term."

News imagePamela Holmes on Newcastle Quayside. She is smiling and has a pair of black glasses on top of her head. She has shoulder length brown hair and is wearing a black fleece and teal shirt. The Tyne Bridgeand other Newcastle bridges can be seen to her left, as well as the River Tyne
Pamela Holmes defended the 10-day closure of the Tyne Bridge

"There isn't a Newcastle home game in that time for instance.

"If we didn't implement the closure it would have been an extended period of night closures which would have brought us right up to the festive period," she said.

News imageNick Hopper standing on Newcastle Quayside. He is wearing a white t-shirt and has a tattoo on his left arm. He has blonde hair and facial hair. He is standing in front of the buildings on Broad Chare.
Nick Hopper thinks the closure will have a big impact on those travelling to and from Newcastle

Nick Hopper said the closure would have a big impact for those travelling to and from Newcastle.

"Getting into town at the minute is already pretty difficult," he said.

"Traffic is already a nightmare, it backs up over the Tyne Bridge anyway, seems like it doesn't matter what time of day."

News imageBridget Maruno sat on a chair in the office of the Live Theatre. She has long hair and is wearing glasses, a checked jacket, and a black t-shirt. She has an orange lanyard around her neck. There is a desk and a cabinet behind her, which have various office supplies on them. There is also a freezer with tubs of ice cream.
Bridget Maruno has encouraged those coming to the Live Theatre to leave extra time for their journeys

Bridget Maruno from the Live Theatre urged audience members to plan their journeys if coming from south of the river.

"We always have our latecomers or people running in with five minutes to spare or a little bit less and that's already stressful," she said.

"So if we can try and avoid that even more, that would be much appreciated from our side."

The council said the work, between 23 October and 2 November, will allow the bridge to remain open when work begins on the arch next year.

Up to 70% of the deck will be completed during the full closure, with the remainder to be completed in overnight closures to vehicles lasting up to four weeks in November.

Since the project began in April 2024, more than 2,000 repairs have been made to the bridge, ahead of its 100th anniversary celebrations in October 2028.

As well as the bridge closure, travel disruption is also expected in half-term, with a nine-day Metro closure planned between Monkseaton and St James.

Follow BBC Newcastle on X,Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram and listen to Radio Newcastle on BBC Sounds.

Related Stories