A new bridge 50 years ago
OPENING OF CROSSING AT SCOTSWOOD BACK IN 1967
IT’S not one of the River Tyne’s more famous bridges, but its design makes it notable in its own right.
The Scotswood Bridge opened on this day 50 years ago.
The Chronicle of Monday, March 20, 1967 told how Alderman Peter Renwick had formally closed the old Scotswood Bridge, then promptly driven round to open its £2.5m successor.
We reported: “Although Blaydon kept moving, the Newburn-bound carriageway on the left was held up for a time by work still being done on the vast road network.”
The new bridge replaced the first Scotswood Bridge, or Chain Bridge as it was known locally.
This comprised two stone towers, from which the road deck was suspended by chains
When it was opened in April, 1831, it was the first bridge over the River Tyne to be built during Tyneside’s industrial era, long pre-dating its more illustrious neighbours downriver, that would later link Newcastle and Gateshead.
This location has also witnessed a series of railway bridges across the river since the first opened in 1839. The fourth one still stands, but hasn’t been used since 1982.
As for the current Scotswood Bridge, it received royal assent in 1962, and work began in 1964.
Designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson - who were also responsible for the Tyne Bridge this one had four traffic lanes.
The whole project, including demolition of the old bridge, was completed at a cost of £2.5m, three quarters of which came from a government grant.
Never the most loved of bridges, when it opened one commentator labelled it an “uncompromisingly ugly modern construction”.
It marks its 50th anniversary today.