Redheugh Bridge safe for 50 more years, Gateshead told

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 16:53 · Archive

Gateshead Council has reassured councillors that Redheugh Bridge is safe and has approximately 50 years of useful life remaining.

Gateshead Council's corporate resources scrutiny committee was told that there are no plans to decommission the Redheugh Bridge and that officers are satisfied it remains far from the end of its useful life. The reassurance followed concerns raised by the recent demolition of the A167 flyover, which prompted questions about the structural integrity of similar large infrastructure in the area.

The Redheugh Bridge was designed and constructed in the early 1980s. The council continues to invest in and maintain it. Funding for maintenance of bridges spanning the Tyne is shared between Gateshead Council and Newcastle, with Newcastle currently paying 60% based on population size and Gateshead 40%.

Senior council engineer Trevor Waggett told councillors that while the Redheugh Bridge and the flyover shared a similar construction ethos, they were 'certainly not the same'. Newcastle Council closed the Redheugh Bridge temporarily last week due to high winds from Storm Boelo and an associated yellow weather warning.

How it is being reported

• Redheugh Bridge still has 50 years of life, Gateshead councillors reassuredGateshead Council officers have reassured elected members that the Redheugh Bridge is still decades ahead of decommissioningChronicleLive · 3 Nov, 16:12
• Bridge safe for another 50 years, councillors toldCouncillors concerned after the Gateshead Flyover demolition are told Redheugh will not follow suit.BBC Tyne And Wear · 2 Nov, 18:11

In this story: Gateshead Council · Redheugh Bridge · A167 flyover · Newcastle Council · Trevor Waggett · Gateshead · Tyne

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