Newburn Bridge re-opens to traffic

Newburn Bridge has re-opened to traffic after a massive refurbishment.

Contractors repainted the bridge and carried out essential repairs to the steelwork.

This maintenance work, which began in March, was the first full repainting of the bridge for nearly 25 years.

Around 2,700 litres of blue and black paint were used to cover the 3,500 square metres of the bridge.

At the same time the city council replaced the street lighting on the bridge and improved the traffic signals at either end of the bridge.

Newburn councillor Mike Lynch said: "I am delighted this work has finished."

The scheme has been jointly funded by the Lib Dem-run city council and Gateshead Council.