EPW025015 ENGLAND (1928). Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the day of the opening of the Tyne Bridge, 1928

The description of this image has been produced by the group. To listen to an audio of this description watch the video below.



This picture shows the Tyne Bridge as it was being built. The pale concrete towers on the Gateshead side are not finished. These towers had lifts inside them, which people used when they wanted to get down to the riverside from the bridge.

The High Level Bridge on the left of the picture provides a wonderful view for people travelling north into Newcastle by train. It also provided a clear view of the great fire which caused so much damage to people and property in Gateshead and Newcastle in 1854. The picture shows St Mary's church on the Gateshead side of the river, near the Tyne Bridge. This area was affected by the fire.



The Swing Bridge (the middle bridge) used to sound its horn to warn people it was about to open. The carriageway of the bridge would swing round into the middle of the River Tyne, allowing the ships to pass. The sound of the horn could be heard all over central Gateshead and Newcastle.

Snapshot of the Tyne Bridge taken June or July 1939

Snapshot taken from Quayside June or July 1939

Here is an audio of a description of this image, produced by blind and partially sighted users of Sight Service Gateshead during a partnership project with Britain from Above. Speaker is Dr Dorothy Hamilton, project lead.

This picture shows the Tyne Bridge as it was being built. The pale concrete towers on the Gateshead side are not finished. These towers had lifts inside them, which people used when they wanted to get down to the riverside from the bridge. The High Level Bridge on the left of the picture provides a wonderful view for people travelling north into Newcastle by train. It also provided a clear view of the great fire which caused so much damage to people and property in Gateshead and Newcastle in 1854. The picture shows St Mary's church on the Gateshead side of the river, near the Tyne Bridge. This area was affected by the fire. The Swing Bridge (the middle bridge) used to sound its horn to warn people it was about to open. The carriageway of the bridge would swing round into the middle of the River Tyne, allowing the ships to pass. The sound of the horn could be heard all over central Gateshead and Newcastle.