Tyne Bridge closure and lane restrictions starting today to allow for installation of 'kittiwake hotels'

Drivers are being warned of upcoming closures and lane restrictions on the Tyne Bridge (A167) as work to install 'kittiwake hotels' gets underway.

Alternative nesting provision, known as kittiwake hotels, is set to be installed in advance of the main bridge works starting once funding is in place. The nesting ledges will be built onto scaffold towers which the kittiwakes can use when they return for the breeding season later this year, providing compensation for any nesting sites which become inaccessible during the main refurbishment works.

With the Tyne Bridge being home to over 1,200 pairs of kittiwakes, the furthest inland breeding colony of kittiwakes in the world, all aspects of the refurbishment programme have been developed in consultation with wildlife groups to minimise disruption to this protected species.

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As a result, overnight closures will be required on 24 and 25 of January. This will see a full closure for northbound traffic, with one lane open southbound, between 20:00 until 06:00, for two nights. Diversions will be in place and access will remain open for people walking and cycling.

Daytime lane restrictions for five weeks will also be required from January 29 until March 1, to protect the workforce and the public, as unloading of materials takes place and the scaffolding rises. This will see the Tyne Bridge reduced to one lane in each direction from 09:30 until 15:30, Mondays to Fridays.

As the Tyne Bridge's capacity will be halved during this period, drivers are warned to allow more time for their journey and expect delays.

Councillor Marion Williams, cabinet member for a Connected, Clean City, said: "We're committed to restoring our iconic Tyne Bridge and seeing it fit for purpose into the future.

"A key constraint we need to work around is the kittiwake breeding season, as a protected species, so we're installing the kittiwake hotels ready for when government release the long-awaited funding and get the major refurbishment programme underway.

"We appreciate this may be disruptive to drivers, but we need to push on with the work to give us a fighting chance of restoring the Tyne Bridge ahead of its centenary. There is huge support across the region for this refurbishment programme and we urge the government to release the funding at the earliest opportunity."

In advance of the main work starting, scaffolding has been erected around the Gateshead Tower which will allow the steelwork adjacent to the Gateshead tower and above ‘By the River Brew’ to be fully sheeted which will protect the environment during the works.

The main restoration works to the main bridge deck has been scheduled to take place in early 2024 in anticipation of government releasing £41.4 million, for the Tyne Bridge refurbishment and upgrade to central motorway. This was confirmed in June 2022. The ambitious four-year programme to the Tyne Bridge includes steelwork repairs, grit blasting and re-painting, concrete repairs, drainage improvements, stonework and masonry repairs, bridge deck waterproofing and resurfacing, parapet protection and bridge joint replacement.

These works will maintain the capacity of the bridge and future proof the route by alleviating the need for continual ad-hoc maintenance works.

A full programme will be set out once the funding is in place. Local contractor Esh Construction will carry out the Tyne Bridge works on behalf of the councils.