So this September the long awaited refurbishment of the Tyne Bridge begins and it's going to be really interesting to see how its managed. 

September through December shouldn't see a huge amount of disruption (at least during peak) but from January 2024 lane closures and serious disruption kicks in 

And with the potential for the High Level works to require intermittent closures...who'd be a planner?

In the world of ideal transport integration, folk would get off their bus at Heworth or Gateshead and enjoy free travel across to Newcastle but I doubt Metro has the capacity, will or reliability to be that option in its current guise. 

We've seen from the closure of the Central Motorway through to the current 1 lane operation impact operations.

Disruption looks entirely unavoidable but it'll be interesting to see what comes out of it in terms of planning. From my own personal stand point, on Colleagues 'office day' - we're either planning to abandon these, switch to monthly or allow colleagues to change their hours to avoid the worst of the disruption

See another option could be is to terminate all buses at Gateshead, or in the case of the 1 Newcastle, then operate a shuttle across, in my mind anyway it works less buses getting caught up, but then Gateshead would be a huge bottleneck unless planned properly

So this September the long awaited refurbishment of the Tyne Bridge begins and it's going to be really interesting to see how its managed. 

September through December shouldn't see a huge amount of disruption (at least during peak) but from January 2024 lane closures and serious disruption kicks in 

And with the potential for the High Level works to require intermittent closures...who'd be a planner?

In the world of ideal transport integration, folk would get off their bus at Heworth or Gateshead and enjoy free travel across to Newcastle but I doubt Metro has the capacity, will or reliability to be that option in its current guise. 

We've seen from the closure of the Central Motorway through to the current 1 lane operation impact operations.

Disruption looks entirely unavoidable but it'll be interesting to see what comes out of it in terms of planning. From my own personal stand point, on Colleagues 'office day' - we're either planning to abandon these, switch to monthly or allow colleagues to change their hours to avoid the worst of the disruption

What they need, is a riverbus up and down the Tyne... 

What they will get, is a load more white paint and traffic lights hoyed around with wild abandon, snarled up traffic and an even worse bus service than we have now.

Oh and poor passenger numbers being blamed on the roadworks in shareholder reports.

Wasn’t the plan for the Tyne Bridge to have 1 northbound general traffic lane, 1 northbound bus lane and 1 southbound general traffic lane?

Ideally, We would see the metro saving the day but really this will not happen. We've already seen the building fire a couple of weeks ago.

So this September the long awaited refurbishment of the Tyne Bridge begins and it's going to be really interesting to see how its managed. 

September through December shouldn't see a huge amount of disruption (at least during peak) but from January 2024 lane closures and serious disruption kicks in 

And with the potential for the High Level works to require intermittent closures...who'd be a planner?

In the world of ideal transport integration, folk would get off their bus at Heworth or Gateshead and enjoy free travel across to Newcastle but I doubt Metro has the capacity, will or reliability to be that option in its current guise. 

We've seen from the closure of the Central Motorway through to the current 1 lane operation impact operations.

Disruption looks entirely unavoidable but it'll be interesting to see what comes out of it in terms of planning. From my own personal stand point, on Colleagues 'office day' - we're either planning to abandon these, switch to monthly or allow colleagues to change their hours to avoid the worst of the disruption

The ideal solution, if they're serious about improving air quality, would be to switch the Swing Bridge to bus only. Send everything up Dean Street/Moseley Street Northbound, and out via the High Level Southbound. 

You're right that the Metro doesn't have the capacity. It can be tight at peak times at present, especially with the removal of the peak time extras, so adding a load of South-of-the-Tyne bus passengers to that is a recipe for disaster.

What they need, is a riverbus up and down the Tyne... 

What they will get, is a load more white paint and traffic lights hoyed around with wild abandon, snarled up traffic and an even worse bus service than we have now.

Oh and poor passenger numbers being blamed on the roadworks in shareholder reports.

What about the Pennywell to Hendon cable car? Maybe that has merit in cutting congestion on Chester Road?

The ideal solution, if they're serious about improving air quality, would be to switch the Swing Bridge to bus only. Send everything up Dean Street/Moseley Street Northbound, and out via the High Level Southbound. 

You're right that the Metro doesn't have the capacity. It can be tight at peak times at present, especially with the removal of the peak time extras, so adding a load of South-of-the-Tyne bus passengers to that is a recipe for disaster.


What about the Pennywell to Hendon cable car? Maybe that has merit in cutting congestion on Chester Road? 

Don't be daft. All Sunderland Council can do is build a bypass to bypass an existing bypass. Or narrow a dual-carriageway to build a bus lane and then a cycle lane alongside it.

Mind, they've got a bit of an obsession with bridges at the moment (that Spire Bridge and the new one that goes to the SoL), so maybe there's merit in a bridge from Pennywell to the Cemetery, then some sort of bypass to bypass the other roads to get to Hendon.

Western Bypass roadworks at their peak, High Level closing, remodelling in the city centre, Gatesheads never ending roadworks…it’s a perfect storm of planners ineptitude

I was thinking completely extreme and non doable scenarios in my mind

X10 omits Gateshead and Heworth and goes via Tyne Tunnel. Connections maintained by metro

X21 and Stanley services via Scotwood Bridge

Terminate service at Metrocentre and offer onward train or shuttle bus connections via suitable route (opens up Scotswood or Redheugh)

I think it’s really only the peak where we’ll see the mass disruption and we sort of see a lower level of that now.

Tyne Bridge's £32m restoration set to begin at last – with work starting day after Great North Run

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor...j2cX8nwnDo

Tyne Bridge's £32m restoration set to begin at last – with work starting day after Great North Run

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor...j2cX8nwnDo

Surprised they've went with Esh rather than Best Impressions for the repaint. I guess we won't be seeing a two-tone blue Tyne Bridge with a road-stripe after all.

Surprised they've went with Esh rather than Best Impressions for the repaint. I guess we won't be seeing a two-tone blue Tyne Bridge with a road-stripe after all.

So you're saying no desire will be created? Disgraceful.

I'm baffled how it's taking 5 years, it only took 3 years to build the thing and technology was much less advanced back then.

I'm baffled how it's taking 5 years, it only took 3 years to build the thing and technology was much less advanced back then.

It’s in a horrendous state and it’s listed which adds complications, alongside them having to take their time doing it’s not a full closure

I cant believe shes been left to rot for so long, well atleast shes finally getting some well deserved TLC

I cant believe shes been left to rot for so long, well atleast shes finally getting some well deserved TLC

I'm not surprised in the slightest. It follows the pattern of 13 years of austerity.

It's why we also have crumbling schools and hospitals.

Sent from my SM-S916B using Tapatalk

I'm not surprised in the slightest. It follows the pattern of 13 years of austerity.

It's why we also have crumbling schools and hospitals.

Sent from my SM-S916B using Tapatalk

Crap government

The contingency plans are due to be announced in Autumn which is a vague timeline.

I can't see GNE wanting to send half their fleet over the Tyne Bridge to sit in traffic like it did during the recent fire

The contingency plans are due to be announced in Autumn which is a vague timeline.

I can't see GNE wanting to send half their fleet over the Tyne Bridge to sit in traffic like it did during the recent fire

They should make the Swing Bridge towards Newcastle only, buses only imo, would help them get through and promote people to use them during the problems. There's a bus lane all the way from the Interchange to it as far as I'm aware.

The Quayside is going to turn a car park otherwise.

Obviously there's the High Level Bridge in the other direction.

Surprised they've went with Esh rather than Best Impressions for the repaint. I guess we won't be seeing a two-tone blue Tyne Bridge with a road-stripe after all.

I heard reason RS didn't tender for it, was down the fact the design of the bridge didn't lend itself to the inevitable diagonal line

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The contingency plans are due to be announced in Autumn which is a vague timeline.
 
I can't see GNE wanting to send half their fleet over the Tyne Bridge to sit in traffic like it did during the recent fire

It's what they do every day isn't it?

The contingency plans are due to be announced in Autumn which is a vague timeline.

I can't see GNE wanting to send half their fleet over the Tyne Bridge to sit in traffic like it did during the recent fire

They should make the Swing Bridge towards Newcastle only, buses only imo, would help them get through and promote people to use them during the problems. There's a bus lane all the way from the Interchange to it as far as I'm aware.

The Quayside is going to turn a car park otherwise.

Obviously there's the High Level Bridge in the other direction.

I'd suggested this previously on the forum, and imo, it's the only sensible option available. We know traffic is going to be a nightmare, so it's up to Newcastle and Gateshead Councils to make buses part of the solution, not the problem.

It wouldn't require many changes to implement either. There's already a bus lane coming down from High Street, which changes into a filter lane for the Swing Bridge just before the Askew Road junction lights. Have this as Sage Car Park only, with the Swing Bridge turning into a temporary bus gate. Southbound continues as is, over the High Level Bridge.

It's one of those scenarios where there's not a lot the operators can do, if the Councils don't play ball. Terminating everything at Gateshead would be one option, but I think we'd sharp discover that the Metro cannot cope with the additional loadings.

Surprised the Tyne Bridge hasn't been burned down yet, isn't that what councils normally do when it's a faff to repair something

I'd suggested this previously on the forum, and imo, it's the only sensible option available. We know traffic is going to be a nightmare, so it's up to Newcastle and Gateshead Councils to make buses part of the solution, not the problem.

It wouldn't require many changes to implement either. There's already a bus lane coming down from High Street, which changes into a filter lane for the Swing Bridge just before the Askew Road junction lights. Have this as Sage Car Park only, with the Swing Bridge turning into a temporary bus gate. Southbound continues as is, over the High Level Bridge.

It's one of those scenarios where there's not a lot the operators can do, if the Councils don't play ball. Terminating everything at Gateshead would be one option, but I think we'd sharp discover that the Metro cannot cope with the additional loadings.

True, however would you have to pay extra for this or will there be free travel from Gateshead to Haymarket?

True, however would you have to pay extra for this or will there be free travel from Gateshead to Haymarket?

People wouldn't do it, if it wasn't, and I don't think operators could feasibly terminate all their services at Gateshead unless an arrangement was in place. Doing so, however, would have a budget impact, so I believe it would need to go through the NECA Joint Transport Committee for approval.

Given the timeframe for the works, I'd suggest it'd be cheaper to make the traffic management changes I'd suggested above...

People wouldn't do it, if it wasn't, and I don't think operators could feasibly terminate all their services at Gateshead unless an arrangement was in place. Doing so, however, would have a budget impact, so I believe it would need to go through the NECA Joint Transport Committee for approval.

Given the timeframe for the works, I'd suggest it'd be cheaper to make the traffic management changes I'd suggested above...

I honestly think we’ll get a mealy mouthed statement about considering your journey and allowing extra time, perhaps use public transport 

We’ve had a few requests to provide data and postcodes of office based staff and their commuting habits. With hybrid, it’s nigh on impossible, there’s not really a 9-5 anymore. The afternoon is a bit more consistent, most folk tend to leave between 3-6. 

They also only asked for our Newcastle based staff when a huge majority of our Cobalt based staff still use the bridge. It’s a worrying lack of sense

I'd suggested this previously on the forum, and imo, it's the only sensible option available. We know traffic is going to be a nightmare, so it's up to Newcastle and Gateshead Councils to make buses part of the solution, not the problem.

It wouldn't require many changes to implement either. There's already a bus lane coming down from High Street, which changes into a filter lane for the Swing Bridge just before the Askew Road junction lights. Have this as Sage Car Park only, with the Swing Bridge turning into a temporary bus gate. Southbound continues as is, over the High Level Bridge.

It's one of those scenarios where there's not a lot the operators can do, if the Councils don't play ball. Terminating everything at Gateshead would be one option, but I think we'd sharp discover that the Metro cannot cope with the additional loadings.

Yeah totally agreed, the only other idea I could think of is terminating everything at Gateshead and the Metro Centre and running a shuttle bus service to do the rest of the journey.

It would be unpopular but at least the other 90%+ of the route would run with minimul delay, with the Metro Centre buses going in via Centrelink as no doubt the Redheugh Bridge will be as bad. It's arguably better than having everything jammed in Newcastle and routes terminating short because of driver hours etc.

Surprised the Tyne Bridge hasn't been burned down yet, isn't that what councils normally do when it's a faff to repair something

During my time as a councillor, repairs were handled with brown envelops first (only kidding!).

Im sure GNE wanted to send more of there buses over the swing brigde years ago but NCC said no dues to congestion on the Quay side. Unless its made bus only as some have said I cant see whats chagned TBH

Im sure GNE wanted to send more of there buses over the swing brigde years ago but NCC said no dues to congestion on the Quay side. Unless its made bus only as some have said I cant see whats chagned TBH

Probably don't want Dean Street clogged up with buses, which tbf I kinda agree with in normal times but when this is getting done then it's not really normal times.

Im sure GNE wanted to send more of there buses over the swing brigde years ago but NCC said no dues to congestion on the Quay side. Unless its made bus only as some have said I cant see whats chagned TBH

They used the Swing Bridge when the High Level was being refurbished.
Don't think it was all of their cross-Tyne routes, but certainly the Washington 'expresses'.
Sure they sent some via Eighton Banks at the same time.

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Probably don't want Dean Street clogged up with buses, which tbf I kinda agree with in normal times but when this is getting done then it's not really normal times.

I'm wondering if this is the perfect opportunity to review and revise the cross-Tyne services.

It's been spoken about before, but do we really need a multi-coloured convoy of all those buses following each other in and out of the town?

They used the Swing Bridge when the High Level was being refurbished.
Don't think it was all of their cross-Tyne routes, but certainly the Washington 'expresses'.
Sure they sent some via Eighton Banks at the same time.

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I'm wondering if this is the perfect opportunity to review and revise the cross-Tyne services.

It's been spoken about before, but do we really need a multi-coloured convoy of all those buses following each other in and out of the town?

I defijnatley read that GNE wanted to send all the buses from gateshead down to the swing and aviod the tyne bridge. Was a while ago mind, and they got knocked back by the council or might have been traffic commision?