Tyne Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnels

HER Number:
1799

District:
N Tyneside and S Tyneside

Site Name:
Tyne Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnels

Place:
Jarrow/Howdon

Map Sheet:
NZ36NW

Class:

Site Type: Broad:

Site Type: Specific:
Tunnel

General Period:
Modern

Specific Period:
C20

Form of Evidence:
Structure

Description:
Authorised by Act of Parliament in 1946 to provide a crossing of the river some six miles downstream of the town of Newcastle. Initially two small tunnels were constructed, of 10 feet 6 inch and 12 feet diameter for pedestrians and cyclists, respectively. They were completed in 1951. The contractor for the tunnels was Charles Brand and Son Ltd. The approach escalators with 85 feet (25.9 metres) vertical fall were the longest continuous escalators in the world at the time and the first to permit use by cyclists. LISTED GRADE 2

Easting:
3289

Northing:
6596

Grid Reference:
NZ32896596

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
<< HER 1799 >> Newcomen Society, 1980, Newcomen Society Summer Meeting, 1980, Notes for Green Coach Journeys I. Ayris & S.M Linsley, 1994, A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Tyne and Wear, p 33; F Manders and R Potts, 2001, Crossing the Tyne, pp 92-95; Spence and Dower, 2010, Tyne Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnels: Howdon to Jarrow, Tyne and Wear, Conservation Plan; Department of Culture, Media and Sport, 2011, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 480103 and 480104, Northern Counties Archaeological Services, 2006, Tyne Pedestrian and Cycle Tunnel Entrance, Tyne Street, Historic Building Recording; Capita Symonds, 2011, Tyne Pedestrian and Cycle Tunnels - Heritage Statement; The Archaeological Practice Ltd. 2014, Tyne Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnels, Howdon and Jarrow, Historic Building Recording; NECT, 2015, National Heritage at Risk Grade II Project