S2, E1: Bridges Across the Tyne

In this episode, we look at the first ever bridge across the River Tyne, the seven bridges that span it today, and the history of the Tyne Bridge. And which came first – the Tyne Bridge or the Sydney Harbour Bridge?

What You’ll Hear

2:04: The first bridge across the River Tyne
2:37: The people who made their living on the riverbanks
3:30: The seven bridges that span the river
4:56: Is the Sydney Harbour Bridge copied from the Tyne Bridge?

Listen to the Episode

The first ever bridge to span the Tyne was built by the Romans in 122, and was known as Pons Aelius, named after the Emperor Hadrian (Aelius was a family name). That wooden structure stayed in place until 1270, when a stone bridge was erected, and that remained until it was washed away in a flood in 1771.

It was important to get from one side of the river to another, not just for local trading, but to gain access to large transporter ships that would be taking coal across the country, and also to move the boats themselves, which were constructed in shipyards on both sides of the Tyne.

Who Worked on the River?

There were various groups of people who made a living from the river, such as the keelmen whose job it was to transport coal which was brought down to the banks of the Tyne from the pits further into Gateshead and Newcastle.

The keelmen powered small boats out to the collier ships, unloading the coal which would be sold as far away as London.

It was backbreaking labour, as they steered the boat via long poles.

There were also factories, warehouses and taverns at different times throughout history, and the Guildhall, the seat of the local council for Newcastle, was also situated close to the river (and still is today).

The Guildhall was home to the town hutch, an oak box dating from the 1400s and used to store money and important documents belonging to the Corporation – the group of men who oversaw the judicial system.

That included the quay master, responsible for everything that came in and went out on the River Tyne and the water bailiff, who policed and enforced the law along the river.

The Modern Bridges

The first ‘modern’ bridge across the river was the High Level, which opened in 1849. It was intended to be dual use, with a railway across the top section, which was designed by engineer Robert Stephenson.

A bridge was built on the site of today’s Redheugh Bridge in 1871, and this sits a long way up the river from the others. It’s very low in comparison too, and is currently on its third iteration, after the first was replaced in 1901, and the second version disintegrated over about 80 years.

Next, the Swing Bridge opened in 1876. It’s made of iron, and sits on the site of Pons Aelius. It’s also a replacement for a shorter bridge that prevented boats moving along the river, and it rotates to allow access.

A central pivot enables the movement, and hydraulic engines power the pumps. The King Edward VII Bridge opened in 1906 to ease traffic on the High Level Bridge. It has steel girders to make sure it’s strong enough to support trains.

The Tyne and Sydney Harbour

A bridge over a river. There is a thick green bush in the foreground and a city can be seen in the background

The Tyne Bridge spans 162 metres (531 feet) and the road part is 26 metres (84 feet) above the river.

There are two towers at each end, intended to be warehouses covering five stories. They were never used, although lifts were installed for both products and people, going down to the Quayside.

It was officially opened by King George V in 1928, the Tyne Bridge was the longest single-span bridge in the world at the time. Much comparison has been made with the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which was constructed by Dorman Long and Co.

This was the company who built the Tyne Bridge, and there has been an idea for many years that it’s a copy– it is quite similar, as it’s also in ‘through arch’ style. However, the inspiration for it is believed to be New York City’s Hell Gate Bridge.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge, built by the same company as the Tyne Bridge — The Sydney Harbour Bridge

Hell Gate Bridge – note the towers at either end of the structure

The Harbour Bridge is 134 metres (440 feet) high and 48.8 metres (160 feet) wide and is used by vehicles, trains, pedestrians and bikes. The confusion around which bridge inspired the other comes because the Sydney version was completed in 1932. However, work began in 1923, and it took much longer to complete than the Tyne Bridge because of the height and distance it had to cover.

And the other bridges? Queen Elizabeth II Bridge opened in 1981 and measures 360 metres in length. It’s used for metro trains, and they can pass each other on the tracks or through the tunnels. The current Redheugh Bridge went up in 1983.

The newest bridge across the Tyne is the Millennium Bridge, construction of which began in 1999. It is the only other bridge that moves, although it tilts, unlike the rotating Swing Bridge. Its deck and arch make it look like a blinking eye when it’s in motion.

This episode was inspired by my blog posts about the Tyne Bridge and the Town Hutch from Newcastle’s Guildhall. You can also find out more about the Discovery Museum, which is where the Hutch is currently displayed, here, and more about the Tyne Bridge here.