(26 May 2015, 1:58 pm)MurdnunoC wrote I don't think a South Shields-North Shields/Tynemouth tunnel or bridge is necessarily needed however I do think further crossings are required to alleviate congestion. If it were up to me I'd build two: one between Bill Quay/Hebburn and Walker; and the second between Elswick/Paradise and Metrocentre.

Or, how about little ferries, which would accept cars?
Works well in the Netherlands and to an extent the same across the Clyde from Gourock to Dunoon.

Granted, the flow wouldn't be as significant as a bridge, but could work and be significantly cheaper.

The old passenger only ferries on the Tyne, all vanished (apart from the Shields one), but one that accepted cars hasn't been tried as far as I am aware.