North Tyneside Council has spent £20,000 on maintenance for the Borough Road footbridge in North Shields over the three years since it was saved from demolition. The bridge, which links Waldo Street and Tennyson Terrace above Borough Road, underwent significant works earlier this year, including removal of overgrown vegetation, extraction of saplings that had embedded in the stonework, and repainting of the abutments.
Background of the bridge's reprieve
The works come just over three years after the bridge was saved from demolition by the council in May 2023, following a Planning Inspectorate decision. A three-day public inquiry in January 2023 determined the bridge's fate. The campaign to save the bridge, led by the North Tyneside Public Transport User Group, included support from Living Streets, Friends of the Earth, Yeoman Street Residents Association, disability group DEPA, and the Green Party.
Supporters argued for the bridge's retention due to its history, views, environmental benefits, and accessibility for elderly and disabled users. The council had previously stated the bridge was too expensive to repair and insufficiently used to justify the estimated £360,000 in costs.
Inspector's ruling and council's plans
Government inspector Sue Arnott concluded: “In my view, the decision to retain a public right of way or not cannot be driven by financial considerations alone; otherwise, a great many paths across the country may be vulnerable to closure, simply to facilitate savings for cash-strapped councils.” The council's regeneration team stated: “Longer term, full sand-blasting and repainting of the steelwork is required and possibly some localised replacement of the steelwork. This will be subject to funding and other priorities but at present we are aiming to do this within the next 3 years. In the meantime, the bridge remains safe and serviceable.”
Political reaction
Newly elected Green Party councillors Helen Bell of Whitley Bay North and Martin Osborne of North Shields stated: “We were involved in the Borough Bridge campaign and we helped campaign to save it because of its value to local residents and as an iconic part of North Shields' heritage. However, the bridge also has real significance in terms of pedestrian access across North Shields and is part of the infrastructure to encourage walking and cycling and also allows for disabled access. As the housing in the immediate area is set to increase it is vital that people can use the bridge to access the surrounding area easily. The Green Party fully supports North Tyneside Council in their renovation of the bridge.”
