Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED -              That Councillor John McElroy be appointed as Chair of the Joint Bridges Committee for the 2020/21 municipal year.

RESOLVED -              That Councillor Arlene Ainsley be appointed as vice-chair of the Joint Bridges Committee for the 2020/21 municipal year.

Membership of the Committee for the 2020/2021 Municipal Year is as follows:

Gateshead Council

Councillor John McElroy

Councillor John Eagle

Councillor Ian Patterson

Vacancy

Newcastle City Council

Councillor P Allen

Councillor A Ainslie

Councillor S Fairlie

Councillor J P Stephenson

RESOLVED –             that the membership of the Committee for the 2020-21 municipal year be noted.

The Committee are asked to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 December 2019 (attached).

RESOLVED -  that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 December 2019 be agreed as a correct record.

Report of Assistant Director, Transport, Newcastle and Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Health Communities, Gateshead

The Committee received a report on the Capital work undertaken in 2020/21.  The Committee were advised that there is no proposed works in 2021/22 and that there was an error with regards to the recommendations in the report the Committee are being asked to note the progress on the planned capital works programme funded by the Department for Transports Local Transport Plan for 2020/21.

The capital works undertaken in the 2020/21 municipal year was for the Redheugh Bridge, a budget provision of £375,000 for urgent replacement of the expansion joints.  Theses works were completed in February 2020.  The outturn works cost was £394,000 and included routine and reactive maintenance.

There are no planned capital works in 2021/22 on any of the Bridges.  Design work on the major maintenance of the Tyne Bridge has continued, are previously reported it was proposed that a funding bid for the major maintenance of the bridge be submitted to the Department for Transport, a bid as now been submitted.

RESOLVED -  That the progress made on the planned capital works programme funded by the Department for Transport’s Local plan (LTP) for 2020/21 be noted.

Report of the Assistant Director Transport, Newcastle and Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities, Gateshead

The Joint Committee has considered the expenditure for 2019/2020, a review of the expenditure for 2020/221and the recommended budget for the joint Tyne bridges for 2021/22.

The year-end expenditure in 2019/20 was £37,828 compared with a

budget provision of £39,000. Tyne Bridge was allocated, £10,000, Swing Bridge allocated £10,000, Redheugh Bridge £15,200, Scotswood Bridge, £3,700 and Newburn Bridge, £1,000.

At the Joint Bridges Committee meeting of 19 December 2019 the budget provision for 2020/21 was set at £39,650.  The current estimated outturn if £30,350.  A review of the expenditure is detailed in the report.

RESOLVED –           (i)          That it be noted that expected expenditure for 2020/21 is £30,3450 with a budget provision of £39,900.

                                 (ii)           that the programme of maintenance and repair works to be carried out in 2021/22 as detailed in the report be recommended to the appropriate committee or delegated decision making of each authority.

                                 (iii)          that a budget provision of £45,500 for 2021/22 as detailed in the report be recommend to the appropriate committee or delegated decision making for each authority for inclusion in that committee’s budget for 2021/22.

Report of the Assistant Director Transport, Newcastle and Strategic Director, Communities and Environment, Gateshead

The Committee received a report to provide an update on the proposals for the major maintenance of the Tyne Bridge.  It identifies the works to be undertaken, the budget costs and the anticipated programme for delivery.

The Tyne Bridge which was constructed between 1925 and 1928 was given Grade 11* listed status by English Heritage in 2018 as part of the Great North Exhibition of the North celebrations.  When opened on 10 October 1928 it was the largest single span steel arch bridge in Britain.  The bridge is landmark feature in the North East and is recognised around the world.

A programme of specialist inspections and investigations of the conditions of the bridge has been carried out over recent years to identify the scope and extent of the maintenance works that a now required.

The maintenance works will include the following:

·        Full grit blasting and repainting of the bridge steelwork

·        Steelwork and cast-iron repairs/replacement as required

·        Lighting repairs/replacement as required

·        Concrete and drainage repairs within the towers

·        Resurfacing

·        Road drainage and joint repairs/replacement

·        Security improvements and

·        Door and window repair/replacement

In addition, consideration will be given to

·        Bird access/nesting prevention measures

·        Access improvement and

·        Vehicle containment measures

The intention is to carry out the programme of works over a three-year period.

The works will be undertaken in a manner that will seek to minimize the impact on any users and co-ordination is taking place with the team who are undertaking the air quality work.  However, it is envisaged that there will be a requirement for a limited number of bridge closures.  Where possible these closures will take place over night and will be publicised in advance with clearly signed diversion routes put in place.

Officers are liaising with RSPB regards to the proposed nesting prevention measures.  The programme costs have been prepared following work estimates provided by consultants / specialist contractors following the development of outline designs for the proposed works.  The current budget estimate for the works is in the order of £20m.

A bid has been submitted to the Department for Transport (DfT) for Major Road Network (MRN) funding.  The bide for the Tyne Bridge was combined with a programme of maintenance works on the Central Motorway in Newcastle.

This combined bid was successful in the first stage of the assessment and the DfT granted the authorities £100,000 to develop the projects Outline Business Case.  Works have been progressed in 2020-21 to develop the Outline Business Case.  However, at the moment a date for DfT final approval has not been identified.

It is anticipated that if successful the funding will be subject to a local contribution, estimated to be in the region of £3m and it is propsed that this would be met from the existing Local Transport Plan Maintenance Block allocations spread over 3-5 years.  This would be funded by Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council on a 58%-42% basis.  Additional sources of funding are being investigated.

RESOLVED –               (i)           that the information contained within  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.