Explore the history of the three Redheugh Bridges linking Newcastle and Gateshead, including construction, issues, and royal openings.
Reports say it has crumbling concrete and a drainage pipe that needs fixing. Repairs might cost over a million pounds, adding another chapter to the bridge’s story.
Three bridges stood at this Tyne location. Sir Thomas Bouch built the first bridge. He also designed the Tay Bridge, which collapsed in 1879, resulting in many deaths.
The initial Redheugh Bridge idea was two levels, like the High Level Bridge nearby, built earlier. It was also meant to carry trains, but only the road level was built later.
Traffic increased, and the new, single-level bridge opened in 1871. Severe problems appeared within the decade following its opening. So, work on a second bridge started in 1897.
That bridge opened in 1907 and tolls were collected due to high traffic. By the 1960s, it had speed and weight limits, making it outdated. A third bridge was then planned.
Construction began in 1980 next to the older bridge. The new design included four lanes and a walkway. It cost over fifteen million pounds.
Diana, Princess of Wales, opened it in 1983, the same day she opened a factory. Locals loved the new Redheugh Bridge, and the older, existing and obsolete bridge was torn down later.
Princess Diana was the fifth royal to open a Tyne bridge, joining Queen Victoria and others. The Redheugh became the sixth major Tyne bridge. The Gateshead Millennium Bridge then opened in 2001 and is the latest major bridge there.