Tyne dredger ready to start work

The dredger will begin work on the south side of the river

A 300ft (90m) dredger is due to be moved into place on the River Tyne, ready to begin work on the new tunnel.

The Vesalius will create a channel in the riverbed between East Howdon and Jarrow, into which prefabricated tunnel sections will be dropped.

The vessel will spend six weeks dredging the river.

It was due to move from Riverside Quay in South Shields earlier, but was delayed by mechanical issues and is now expected to commence work on Monday.

The four tunnel units currently stored at Walker dry dock will be lowered into the trench early next year.

The Vesalius is a suction-cutting dredger, which sucks sediment and water up, reducing the amount of silt that is disturbed compared to the usual "bucket" method.

The technique should pose a lower risk to the environment, including fish stocks.

The second Tyne Tunnel is due to open in February 2011, when the existing tunnel will close for 10 months to allow modernisation work to be carried out.