Celebrated as one of the great engineering achievements of the Victorian era, Sir William Armstrong’s visionary Swing Bridge was the first of its kind in the world. Completed in 1876, it revolutionised the river crossings by allowing large ships to pass while maintaining a vital transport link across the River Tyne.
To mark the anniversary new information boards are being placed at both ends of the bridge, and an exhibition is taking place at the Discovery Museum until December.
Newcastle City Council, with Gateshead Council, is responsible for the structure of the bridge. The Port of Tyne is responsible for the swinging mechanism.
The three authorities are working together to develop proposals that will safeguard the bridge’s future. This includes sourcing funding for a detailed feasibility study to determine the extent of repairs required and their costs to develop a long-term maintenance and operation plan for the bridge.
Cllr Colin Ferguson, Leader of Newcastle City Council said: “The Swing Bridge is truly an engineering marvel and a key part of our heritage, which stands proudly 150 years on. This Victorian feat of engineering has played a key part of our city’s past, helping shape its fortunes and we remain committed to preserving it for future generations.
“Lots of efforts are underway to securing funding to develop a feasibility study, to understand the condition, maintenance needs and long-term operation of the bridge. This is a complex engineering project and requires external funding, however this feasibility study is a crucial step towards putting together a strong bid for when a funding opportunity to return it to its former glory becomes available.”
Cllr Nick Allan, Leader of Gateshead Council, said: ”Our bridges are a really defining element of how people across the country think about Tyneside. Everybody knows the view up the Tyne, and the Swing Bridge is right at the heart of that.
“We are proud to mark the 150th anniversary, and look forward to working with partners and government to see how we might see investment in its future.”
Ashley Nicholson, Chief Business Officer at Port of Tyne, said: “The Swing Bridge is a remarkable piece of engineering, with a bespoke and highly complex swinging mechanism.
“Although there is no longer a requirement for the bridge to swing for river traffic, the Port, alongside Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council, fully supports efforts to secure funding for a feasibility study. This will help determine the extent of the repairs required and how best to preserve this important heritage asset for future generations.”
The bridge is driven from the cupola – control tower which sits above the roadway, swinging 90 degrees to pass vessels and continuing through a full 180 degrees in about 6 minutes.
Powered by hydraulic engines supplied by high-pressure pumps, the bridge’s machinery was built with duplicate systems for reliability—and remarkably, the engines today are the originals installed by Sir William Armstrong.
Its innovative design not only showcased Armstrong’s engineering ingenuity but also played a pivotal role in supporting the local areas thriving shipbuilding and industrial economy.
The Grade II* listed structure and Scheduled Monument first opened to road traffic on 15 June 1876 and then opened to shipping a month later, on 17 July 1876.
The first ship to pass through was the Italian ship Europa, collecting a 100-tonne gun manufactured at Scotswood by Armstrong’s for the Italian Government.
1924 was the busiest year with 6,000 swings. In 1959, the hydraulic pumps were electrified, but Armstrong’s engines were retained.
2019 was the last year the bridge swung for river traffic. Unfortunately, the swinging mechanism is currently inoperable and can no longer swing, hence the commitment to developing a feasibility study to secure its future.