Historic river crossing to reopen

Repair work on the bridge has taken seven years

Repair work to an historic bridge across the Tyne, which saw it closed for three years, has been completed.

The High Level Bridge was closed to traffic in February 2005 while owners Network Rail carried out essential structural work.

Buses and taxis will be allowed to use the bridge, which first opened in 1849, but cars will still be barred.

The reopening brings to an end a seven-year repair programme, which has cost more than £40m.

Even when reopened on 2 June, only southbound vehicles will be able to use the bridge because of the need to reduce loads.

The bridge was found to be in a much more fragile condition than first thought Gateshead Council spokesman

The carriageway has also been narrowed to a single lane to allow safety barriers to be fitted

A spokesman for Gateshead Council said: "When restoration work on the road deck began, the bridge was found to be in a much more fragile condition than first thought.

"Engineers had to develop new techniques to strengthen the 160-year-old cast iron bridge, a process made more difficult by its Grade I Listing."

More than 1,600 tonnes of scaffolding was used in the restoration project, with 610 tonnes of new steel and 252 tonnes of timber also used.

Around 75,000 litres of paint were applied to the bridge to restore it to its original colour.

At the peak of the restoration project, more than 160 engineers and operatives, and 30 managers worked 24 hours a day, 12 days in every 14.