(18 Jul 2023, 12:09 pm)Ambassador wrote 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

(18 Jul 2023, 12:09 pm)Ambassador wrote 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

(18 Jul 2023, 12:42 pm)Andreos1 wrote 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.

(18 Jul 2023, 8:36 pm)Adrian wrote 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? 

(07 Sep 2023, 5:07 pm)citaro5284 wrote Tyne Bridge's £32m restoration set to begin at last – with work starting day after Great North Run

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/tyne-bridges-32m-restoration-set-27672721?fbclid=IwAR3B9Nz8jxW3AFtrhJnlpggTdvJ1tvnWjQWu8HUmplCoLpFsSj2cX8nwnDo

(07 Sep 2023, 8:25 pm)MurdnunoC wrote 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.

(07 Sep 2023, 8:45 pm)Storx wrote 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.

(07 Sep 2023, 10:26 pm)V514DFT wrote I cant believe shes been left to rot for so long, well atleast shes finally getting some well deserved TLC

(08 Sep 2023, 6:48 am)Adrian wrote 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

(08 Sep 2023, 8:55 am)Ambassador wrote 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

(07 Sep 2023, 8:25 pm)MurdnunoC wrote 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.

(08 Sep 2023, 8:55 am)Ambassador wrote 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

(08 Sep 2023, 8:55 am)Ambassador wrote 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

(08 Sep 2023, 9:02 am)Storx wrote 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.

(08 Sep 2023, 11:13 am)Adrian wrote 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.

(08 Sep 2023, 3:52 pm)Unber43 wrote True, however would you have to pay extra for this or will there be free travel from Gateshead to Haymarket?

(08 Sep 2023, 4:02 pm)Adrian wrote 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...

(08 Sep 2023, 11:13 am)Adrian wrote 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.

(08 Sep 2023, 1:06 pm)streetdeckfan wrote 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

(09 Sep 2023, 7:52 am)Rob44 wrote 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

(09 Sep 2023, 7:52 am)Rob44 wrote 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

(09 Sep 2023, 8:52 am)Storx wrote 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.

(09 Sep 2023, 9:46 am)Andreos1 wrote 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?