Esh Construction are leading the repairs. Credit: Newcastle City Council

Starmer casts doubt on Tyne Bridge funding

The Prime Minister has been unable to confirm that the final £6m of promised funding will be provided to the four-year repair project on the grade two-listed landmark.

Currently being repaired by Esh, the £35m project began last April and was funded by the department for transport.

More than 1,000 necessary repairs have been identified, including a full repaint and structural fixes to the rusted crossing, the steelwork, concrete, and waterproofing.

The previous government’s pledge to cover 100% of the repair costs was made under Rishi Sunak.

Scrapping the funding would be another blow to the North East, following the recent de-funding of the A1 dualling  between Morpeth and Ellingham.

Since coming to power, Labour has repeatedly accused the previous government of leaving a £2.9bn hole for unfunded transport spending commitments.

Clarification is expected in spring, following the government’s spending review.

In a letter sent to transport secretary Heidi Alexander, Newcastle City Council deputy leader Alex Hay and the transport chief for Gateshead Council John McElroy, wrote: “We are seeking a clear commitment from the government to provide the additional funding necessary to reinstate a full restoration programme.

“This is a once-in-a- generation opportunity to restore a much-loved icon of national and historical significance, and it is what the people of our region expect and deserve.”

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