South Shields bridge closed immediately to traffic ahead of safety inspections
A South Shields bridge has been closed with immediate effect.
South Tyneside Council has confirmed that it has closed the Heugh Street Bridge, on River Drive, in South Shields, with immediate effect to all moving traffic to allow for essential safety inspections.
The local authority has taken the decision following a recent engineering review of the 85-year-old structure, which indicated that a closer examination would be necessary to fully understand its current condition and inform next steps.
With pedestrian access still available, South Tyneside Council states that closing the bridge to vehicles removes any risk to members of the public and allows engineers to carry out a full and thorough assessment.
Speaking about the closure, Cllr Ernest Gibson, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods and Climate Change, said: “Public safety is our absolute priority.
“This is a decision based on the latest engineering advice.
“While Heugh Street Bridge has served the community for decades, recent inspection has prompted us to close the bridge to traffic with immediate effect.
“Closing the bridge now allows engineers to carry out a thorough inspection and gather the evidence needed to make informed decisions about its future.
“We appreciate this may cause inconvenience, especially to residents living in the area, but these measures are essential to keep people safe.”
South Tyneside Council has stated that the next major inspection of the Heugh Street Bridge was scheduled to take place in 2026 but recent findings have prompted for an early review.
Additional specialist monitoring will now be introduced, including strain gauges and concrete testing, to ensure ongoing safety.
The local authority has implemented traffic management and diversion routes, with signage on key approaches and bus diversions coordinated with operators.
Around 5,000 vehicles use the bridge on a daily basis, so motorists are being advised to follow signed diversions.
The Nexus Learning Centre beneath the bridge will continue to operate as normal throughout the closure period.
The inspection process is expected to take at least six months and will involve specialist equipment and scaffolding to overcome the engineering challenges posed by the bridge’s age and design.
The works are taking place underneath the bridge, meaning that the activity may not always be visible to members of the public from above.
South Tyneside Council has stated that the staged, evidence-based approach will provide data for any long-term decisions.
For updates, visit: https://www.southtyneside.gov.uk/roadclosures.