The Tyne Bridge, linking Newcastle and Gateshead, is an international icon. In June 2022 our Conservative Government announced it would put £35.3m into a project to refurbish both the bridge and the Central Motorway. Following the cancellation of HS2 and the reallocation of funds into 'Network North' the Government promised to cover the full £41.4m cost.
Eleven Labour MPs have written to the Prime Minister, calling on him to ensure that the Department for Transport (DfT) hands over more than £40m of promised cash for the massive refurbishment project “at the earliest opportunity”.
Guy Renner-Thompson, the Conservative candidate for the new Mayor of the North East job, said "It's sad to see local Labour politicians try to jump on the bandwagon of Government money for the Tyne Bridge, over a year since the announcement was made. I've spoken to senior Government colleagues who tell me the the money for the bridge is there, ready and waiting. The delay has been caused by Labour councils not submitting the required information on time. If Labour MP's want to question anyone, it should be their friends at the council who failed to make this project a priority."
