Fears of traffic chaos on Teesside when the kids return to school next week have been eased as the Newport Bridge is set to reopen on Monday (September 2).

The vital crossing over the Tees was closed on July 8 for repair and maintenance works, with drivers seeing huge queues on the A19 in the week before the school holidays.

It was closed as part of a £1.5m scheme to replace joins and bearings, install new drainage, and resurface and waterproof the bridge.

Stockton Council, which is doing the work jointly with Middlesbrough Council, confirmed that the A1032 bridge will reopen on Monday subject to weather conditions in the coming days.

In a post on social media the council said: “Newport Bridge is set to reopen on Monday, September 2, in time for peak morning traffic flows.

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“Throughout July and August major maintenance works have been carried out on the iconic bridge. While the road has been closed additional works such as carriageway resurfacing, footway improvement works and vegetation clearance have also taken place.

“The re-opening date is subject to weather conditions over the coming days so please stay tuned to our social media channels for updates.”