Funding bid to replace condemned bridge

The government has been asked to help fund the estimated £21m replacement of a condemned 85-year-old bridge.

Heugh Street Bridge, which runs over the River Drive in South Shields, was closed to vehicles in November 2025. A later inspection found "significant deterioration" on key structural elements.

South Tyneside Council confirmed it had submitted a bid to the Department for Transport's Structures Fund to support the rebuild project.

Pedestrians are still able to cross and regular inspections are being carried out, the local authority said.

The bridge, which was previously used by about 5,000 vehicles a day, was initially expected to reopen after six months.

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