Another of Tyneside’s iconic bridges will soon be in need of major repairs, councillors have been warned.

A much-needed restoration of the Tyne Bridge is due to begin early in the new year, though the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed last week how the Government is yet to provide its promised funding for the scheme, and is set to cause heavy disruption on the region’s roads for the four years while the works are taking place.

But once that refurbishment is finally completed, attention will have to swiftly turn to the neighbouring Swing Bridge.

Significant works to ensure the Victorian crossing remains safe for vehicles and pedestrians to use will be needed in the next five to ten years, according to a report presented to Newcastle and Gateshead council members last week.

The two local authorities would be unable to afford the cost of the maintenance works and, like for the Tyne Bridge, would have to find an outside source of funding for it.

This project would also come separate to efforts to repair the Swing Bridge’s turning mechanism, with more than four years now having passed since the bridge last successfully swung open.

There have also been calls for upgrades on the High Level Bridge too, with the Tyne’s iconic collection of world-famous bridges facing a number of serious challenges.

Gateshead Council has also been forced to stop the daily tilts of the Millennium Bridge, due to budget cuts and in an effort to reduce the need to carry out major maintenance.

The Swing Bridge report to last week’s meeting of Tyneside’s joint bridges committee states: “The bridge structure has undergone a detailed inspection and assessment. and whilst showing the bridge is still safe and fit to carry vehicles and pedestrians, its general condition is only fair with some poor elements, showing signs of deterioration, and major maintenance works are recommended in the next five to 10 years. Works required would include waterproofing and resurfacing, repainting and timber repairs.

“The inspection also identified some urgent repairs to the ends of the swing spans and the timber flooring to the control tower. Works have been undertaken to address these defects and are now complete.

“It is proposed to design a full and detailed schedule of major maintenance works for the bridge and to identify a detailed budget for the works required. This will allow officers to seek a funding source to allow the works to be undertaken as existing council budgets are not sufficient to fund major maintenance works. Major maintenance works would not commence before the completion of the Tyne Bridge refurbishment works.”

Responsibility for the William Armstrong-designed bridge’s road and pavement rests with the two councils, while the Port of Tyne is responsible for the swinging mechanism.

Earlier this year, Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah launched a new campaign to get the Swing Bridge swinging again in time for its 150th anniversary in 2026, inviting engineering experts from across the globe to lend their support.

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The grade II* listed crossing last swung open successfully in November 2019, while enthusiasts were left disappointed during a maritime festival in summer 2021 when an attempt to have it rotate resulted in the bridge jamming shut.

Alistair Swan, Newcastle City Council’s principal engineer, told last Thursday’s meeting that the difficulty in repairing the bridge’s turning system is due to the age of the mechanism and the fact that every replacement part will have to be custom-built.

Newcastle Lib Dem councillor Pauline Allen said: “I was really quite concerned by this because we have quite a few iconic bridges, but by its nature the Swing Bridge needs to swing.”