Damaged bridge may close to cars

Tyneside's High Level Bridge may close to cars

The High Level Bridge on Tyneside could close to cars for good in a bid to preserve it from traffic damage.

When the 150-year-old gateway between Newcastle and Gateshead was designed, petrol-driven motor vehicles had not been invented.

But despite its weakened structure it supports 8,000 cars a day and transport officials are now considering limiting its use to buses and taxis.

Network Rail, which owns the bridge, said no decisions had been made.

But a spokeswoman confirmed the bridge, which was designed by Robert Stephenson, would be closed for six months from next April for repairs.

The Grade I listed bridge was built in 1849 and transport officials are particularly worried about the safety of its ageing timber deck.

Speed restriction

Network Rail and Newcastle and Gateshead councils are now considering ways to preserve the structure.

Newcastle City Council group manager for highways, Peter Whitman said: "At the very least it will have to be narrowed down to one lane and this will clearly have an impact on the long-term future of the 8,000 cars which use the bridge.

"But this is still only 3% of the traffic passing over the River Tyne every day."

Last month a 20mph speed restriction was imposed on motorists using the bridge to save it from the impact of modern traffic.

Newcastle City Council also banned vehicles weighing more than three tonnes from using the bridge.

The bridge also carries the main London to Edinburgh railway and has a separate road deck.