The Bridge In Troubled Waters

A bridge over the River Tyne has been stuck in an identity crisis. The Swing Bridge has linked Newcastle and Gateshead since 1876, but last swung way back in 2019. The MP for Newcastle Central succinctly diagnosed the crossing's predicament: "it's called the Swing Bridge, the clue is in its name, it has to be able to swing".

In its closed position, the bridge carries road traffic across the Tyne. By rotating 90 degrees about its central axis, the bridge opens and allows ships on the river to pass by on either side; the structure is capable of swinging by a full 360 degrees. Across its history, the swing mechanism has allowed nearly half a million vessels to access the upper reaches of the Tyne, which once bustled with industrial activity. But mechanical issues have rendered the bridge swingless for several years now.