The iconic UK bridge looking brand new again after much-needed £5.2m paint job | UK | News

An iconic British bridge is looking its best again after a £5.2million makeover. Work to the Grade I-listed High Level Bridge over the River Tyne included strengthening, grit blasting and repainting beams holding up road and pedestrian decks.

The historic crossing was designed by railway pioneer Robert Stephenson and was the first double-decker road and railway bridge in the world when it was opened by Queen Victoria on September 28, 1849.

At 175 years old, the crossing requires regular maintenance, with Network Rail and AmcoGiffen carrying out work which also included resurfacing the carriageway and waterproofing the road deck.

Much of the job happened at night to minimize disruption to road users, although train services were unaffected, according to Network Rail.

Sean Ellerby, the scheme’s project manager, said: “It’s been a huge job to secure the future of this world-first bridge and important link for rail and road between Gateshead and Newcastle.”

The bridge got its name for being the first to span the Tyne from the top of one bank to the other, becoming the “High Level” bridge as earlier bridges made the crossing at low level.

It is the oldest of the seven historic bridges that cross the Tyne. The roadway was built at 96ft (29m) and the railway 120ft (37m) above the river’s high water mark.

An Act to build the bridge was secured by the Newcastle & Berwick Railway in 1845. It stipulated the company should construct a combined road and rail bridge across the Tyne between Newcastle and Gateshead to be completed within four years.

The bridge was designed by Stephenson with detailed drawings made under the watchful eye of Thomas E Harrison. To avoid the bridge being too wide, and to keep the costs down, it was decided to carry the railway above rather than beside the roadway.

It is a tied arch, or bow-string, bridge with the main structural elements made of cast and wrought iron. The route’s six spans each measure 125ft (38m) in length. Cast iron bows support the railway while wrought iron ties hold up the road deck.

The latest spruce up saw 3,300 liters of paint used; 283 beams painted across the bridge’s six spans and 460 tons of scaffolding raised so workers could paint underneath the road deck.

Chris Pennock, AmcoGiffen framework director, said: “This significant investment has revitalized the 175-year-old landmark and will preserve its structural integrity and historical significance for years to come.”

Councilor John McElroy, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport at Gateshead Council, said: “It’s great news the upgrade is complete.

“Its historical significance to the region makes it even more important that we continue to look after the bridge and ensure it remains fit for purpose for generations to come.”