SWING BRIDGE

The Swing Bridge has always been one of the most interesting bridges on the Tyne, as until the Gateshead Millenium Bridge came along, it was the only one that moved. Opened in 1876, it was necessary to replace the old Georgian Bridge in almost the same location which was low level and prevented larger vessels from moving up river or above bridge as it was called. This meant that keels were needed to transport coal from the riverbank staiths at Dunston, Derwenthaugh and beyond to the ships further down river, an inefficient and time-consuming process. Armstrongs factories at Elswick were held back due to the impossibility of ships reaching there.

The Tyne Improvement Commission (TIC) was created in 1850 to initiate beneficial changes, regulate and control the Tyne within its tidal limit, allowing towns other than Newcastle to share in the prosperity brought by the river and it's increasing industrialisation. In 1761 the TIC were given the go-ahead to build an opening bridge which would replace the exisiting bridge. Concern was expressed about the delays to traffic with each passage of a ship. After much discussion, obstruction and consideration during which alternatives to the TIC proposal were advocated, the Commission's bridge proposal was adopted as the best and a temporary bridge was erected in 1865/66 to allow the dismantling of the old stone bridge while the new one was built. The temporary bridge opened in 1866. Dredging was done to deepen the river at either side of the bridge and also further up river. Work started on the new bridge in 1868 with W G Armstrong and Co. of Elswick supplying and installing the ironwork and machinery. Three masonry piers were built, the moving part of the bridge revolving through ninety degrees on the centre pier to allow ships to pass on either side. The controls were mounted in the cupola over the roadway and the machinery on the central pier. Power is from two hydraulic engines driven by electric pumps (originally steam-driven) The bridge opened on 25 June 1876, but only to road traffic. The first swing was made for shipping on 17 July 1876.

Trade was greatly stimulated after the Swing Bridge opened. Armstrong's Elswick shpyard commenced in 1883 and various other works benefited and coal shipments from northwest Durham became much easier and facilitated the opening of new staiths at Dunston in 1893 and 1903. With the closure of the staiths first at West Dunston in 1934 and then Derwenthaugh in 1960, the number of openings was considerably reduced and finally when Dunston staiths closed in 1980 openings became infrequent although swings have increased a little in recent years as pleasure boats pass through. In 2002 for example there were 89 swings up to 14 September. This compares to 6000 in the peak year of 1924 and 900 annualy in the 1970s. The ships Bessie Surtees and Hexhamshire Lass which carried fly ash from the Stella power stations for dumping at sea being regular travellers past the bridge, were built low enough to pass under the bridge without the need for its opening. The bridge still provides a vital road crossing and is permanently manned.

Swing Bridge Facts

Constructed - 1868-76
Type - swinging, electric/hydraulic operation.
Position: between Tyne and High Level bridges.
Grid Ref: NZ 253 637

The Swing Bridge

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