This summer is set to see a major Metro bridge replaced as part of a £3 million project which will also create space for better bus links and road freight to North Shields Fish Quay. The Tanners Bank bridge is located on the Metro line between Tynemouth and North Shields and will be replaced during a 14 day line closure in July.
The current Tanners Bank bridge dates back to the Victorian era with the line having opened back in 1839 – said to have been the world’s first commuter line. It needs to be replaced now due to its age to ensure the continued safe operation of the Metro.
Cllr Carl Johnson, Deputy Mayor of North Tyneside, said: “I am delighted that yet another part of North Shields regeneration will soon be underway. This new bridge is a vital upgrade to the Metro system and raise the current space below by 1.5 metres, allowing better access for buses under the bridge leading to and from North Shields Fish Quay. The work is being carried out by Nexus and supports our North Shields and Fish Quay Masterplan, which aims to create a smaller, more vibrant, and connected town centre.”
The project is being funded through a £2.7 million grant from the DfT’s Highways Challenge Fund, £300,000 from the Metro Asset Renewal Programme and £103,000 from North Tyneside Council. After completion the clearance beneath the bridge will have been raised to allow HGVs and double decker buses to get to and from the fish quay.
Cathy Massarella, Nexus Major Projects Director, said: “We are investing £3m in the complete replacement of the Tanners Bank Metro bridge, which carries 173 train services a day between Newcastle and North Tyneside. This bridge is a vital part of Metro’s infrastructure which now needs to be replaced. The current bridge was built in 1853, and has served Metro for 41 years since we took the line over – but this summer is the right time to replace it.
“The new structure will ensure that we can run trains in this area for many more generations to come, and the new one will allow greater clearance above the road so that more buses and commercial vehicles are able to get down to North Shields Fish Quay. This is a major project that dovetails nicely with the exciting plans North Tyneside Council have to regenerate North Shields town centre and Fish Quay. This is a big engineering challenge, and when the work takes place in July it will be the fourth Metro bridge that we have completely removed and replaced it in this way since 2010 as part of our modernisation programme. The new bridge deck will be lifted into place using a specialist heavy duty lifting rig during a major line closure in July.”
The work will be undertaken during a 14 day line closure from 16th to 29th July. During the closure a replacement bus service will be in operation.