Swing Bridge Over River Tyne

The Swing Bridge, spanning the River Tyne, dates from 1868-76. It was constructed by W.G. Armstrong & Co of Newcastle upon Tyne, under the supervision of the Tyne Improvement Commission, on the site of earlier Roman and Medieval bridges. The bridge features granite abutments and piers built on foundations of cast iron cylinders filled with concrete, along with a timber control cabin and a central pontoon. It is composed of a wrought iron girder superstructure with six spans: two over the land approaches, two fixed spans over the water, and two rotatable spans forming the swinging section. The north and south land abutments incorporate two piers arched together to allow for land traffic, and are surmounted by four pillars topped with freestone and granite copings and groins. Carved in relief on the outsides of these pillars are the Coats of Arms of Gateshead, Newcastle, and the Port of Tyne Authority. Piers include cutwaters and recesses that provide a ledge for the bridge’s central section. The central pier supports the swinging section and incorporates a timber jetty extending east and west to include the central pier of the High Level Bridge. Stone projections at either end of the central pier house the original boilers, electric motors, pumps, accumulators, hydraulic engines, and gearing, all in duplicate. The bridge deck provides a 7.3m wide roadway with 2.4m wide footways on either side. Ornate lamp standards and closeable gates are situated at either end of the fixed sections, and a maintenance platform is suspended below the deck on rollers. The swinging section, approximately 86m long, rotates on a roller bearing central pivot. Two large girders form segmental arches filled with latticework. A central arched linking bridge leads to an octagonal timber cupola topped with an ogee roof and a circular domed lantern, accessible via two iron staircases. The bridge is operated by machinery activated by high-pressure water from a hydraulic accumulator; originally powered by hydraulic motors, it is now electrically powered, with the complete and operable mechanism housed on the central pier. Opened in 1876, the Swing Bridge facilitated upriver navigation for sea-going vessels, particularly to benefit Lord Armstrong’s expanding Elswick Works and the surrounding developing industries.