Tyne Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnels

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
Transport
Site Type: Broad
Pedestrian Transport Site
Site Type: Specific
Pedestrian Tunnel
General Period
20TH CENTURY
Specific Period
Mid 20th Century 1933 to 1966
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
432890
Northing
565960
Grid Reference
NZ432890565960
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; https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1380276