WORK is expected to start on a £1.5m replacement bridge at in South Shields in August.

South Tyneside Council has secured funding to build a re-aligned bridge over the railway line at Green Lane.

The existing bridge, owned by Railtrack, is subject to a 7.5tonne weight restriction.

This limits the size of buses and goods vehicles which can use this major traffic link.

It was decided the best solution was for the old bridge to be demolished and a new one built on a new alignment.

Design work has been completed and the council will shortly go out to tender for the eight-month construction project.

There will be a total road closure of about eight weeks to allow for demolition