The historic footbridge at the Grade II listed Whitley Bay Tyne and Wear Metro station has been reopened to the public following major restoration work. It was used for the first time since its painstaking restoration on Monday 8th June 2026 and is now in regular use once again.
The work on the footbridge is the final part of a multi-million pound renewal scheme, which has also seen its canopy completely restored.
Works which have taken place include structural repairs, strengthening of steelwork, installation of new decking, stairs, handrails, a full repaint, new wayfinding signage, seats, and improved accessibility features.
Paul Welford, Major Projects Director at Nexus, said: “I’m pleased to confirm that we have completed our restoration work on the footbridge at Whitley Bay Metro station.
“This allows us to get the bridge back into use for our customers and we’re grateful to them for all their patience while it has been closed.
“The project ensures that this historic structure has been restored to its former glory so it can continue to serve our customers for many years to come, dovetailing with the wider renewal work at this station that we completed last year.
“This station has proudly served Metro since the network opened in 1980 and it’s a key gateway into the borough of North Tyneside and it’s coastline.”
The work was completed by G&B Civil Engineering.
Martin Ellis, G&B Civil Engineering Contracts Manager, said: “As a local company, we can take enormous pride from restoring such a historic structure back to its former glory, thus allowing Nexus to re-open the footbridge to the general public after a significant period of closure.
“The works carried out are a testament to the diligence and skills of our own workforce who have carried out the refurbishment works in conjunction with a number of specialist North East based sub-contractors. We also would like to thank Nexus and North Tyneside Council for their input and co-ordination throughout the initial design and subsequent build period, to enable these works to be progressed to a satisfactory conclusion.”
Whitley Bay has been Grade II listed since 1986, some six years after Tyne and Wear Metro services started.