A major police incident has forced the sudden closure of the iconic Tyne Bridge, causing severe travel disruption for commuters across Newcastle and Gateshead this morning.
Bridge Sealed Off in Both Directions
The vital river crossing, which connects Newcastle upon Tyne with Gateshead, was shut down in both directions in the early hours of Thursday, 4 December 2025. Authorities have confirmed the closure is due to an ongoing police incident, though the precise nature of the situation remains undisclosed at this time.
Chronicle Live reported that significant traffic queues began forming almost immediately, with congestion building rapidly through Gateshead as drivers sought alternative routes.
Widespread Traffic Disruption
The closure of this central artery has sparked widespread travel chaos during the morning rush hour. In addition to the Tyne Bridge shutdown, National Highways reported a separate, related incident affecting the A19.
The A19 was partially blocked in both directions between the A185 at Jarrow and the A193 at Howdon Roundabout in Wallsend. Early reports indicated that traffic in this area was coping well, but the combined impact of both closures has created a challenging situation for North East commuters.
Motorists are being strongly advised to avoid the area and plan for significant delays on their journeys.
Ongoing Investigation and Travel Advice
As of the last update at 07:42 GMT, the scene remains active with emergency services in attendance. Police have yet to release further details regarding the incident that necessitated the major road closure.
Travel experts warn that the knock-on effects are likely to be felt across the region's road network for several hours. Key diversion routes are expected to experience heavy traffic, and public transport services crossing the river may also be subject to delays or alterations.
Commuters are urged to check live traffic updates from local sources like NE Traffic Cameras and allow extra time for travel until the situation is resolved and the bridge is safely reopened.
