History of bridge jetties explained
The Swing Bridge was opened in 1876 and its jetties were formerly used by the River Tyne Police THE Swing Bridge in Newcastle is one of the city centre’s great landmarks.
It stands on the site of the Old Tyne Bridges of 1270 and 1781, and probably of the Pons Aelius – the original Roman bridge across the Tyne.
Opened in 1876, the machinery used to turn the structure is still the same as that originally installed by industrialist William Armstrong whose idea it was to build it in the first place.
And 141 years on, it all looks in tip top shape – except the jetty that runs parallel to the one upon which the bridge pivots.
It looks a bit rickety today and some people have wondered why it is still standing and what was its original purpose.
Intrigued ourselves, we put the question to the Port of Tyne which is responsible for the bridge.
A spokesperson told the Sunday Sun: “The smaller jetty is known as the Police Jetty. It was used by the River Tyne Police to tie up small boats.”
Apparently the River Beat restaurant near to the Swing Bridge on the Gateshead side of the Tyne used to be the River Police offices for Newcastle and Gateshead.
They also had offices is the building next to the Customs House in South Shields, which are now apartments.
The River Tyne Police was formed in 1845 and later became a police force under the Police Act 1919, meaning its members had full police powers.
Our spokesperson continued: “From November 30, 1949, it also took over responsibility for policing on the property of the Tyne Improvement Commission from the disbanded Tyne Improvement Commission Docks and Piers Police (probably part of the reason why the jetty was so close to the Swing Bridge).
“The TIC were the predecessors of the Port of Tyne – but the force was eventually merged with the Police Force and Northumbria Police still have a marine unit deployed on the Tyne which is now based at Viking Park in Jarrow.”
The central jetty had a purpose and wasn’t just a structure to support the bridge.
Fees from passing ships that required the Swing Bridge to open were collected by someone using a long pole with a bag on the end from a spot on the bridge.
And the Port of Tyne spokesperson also explained why the police jetty hasn’t just been demolished despite the fact it is no longer functional.
“Although the former police jetty isn’t listed as part of the bridge which is listed by English Heritage as a Schedule Ancient Monument, the whole area of the bridge is classed as a conservation area so the jetty is maintained to preserve its historical status,” said the spokesperson.