King Edward VII Rail Bridge, Newcastle
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Skinnerburn Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7AR
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The King Edward VII Bridge spansthe River Tyne between Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead. This bridge of function, rather than form, was designed and engineered by Charles A. Harrison, the Chief Civil Engineer of the North Eastern Railway, and built by the Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company in Darlington at atotal cost of £500,000.
It consists of four lattice steel spans resting on concrete piers. The total length of the bridge is 350 m (1,150 ft) and 34 m (112 ft) above high water mark. Problems with foundations meant that plans for a girder span at the Gateshead side were changed and stone arches used instead. Caissons support the three granite river piers and massive steel lattice girders carry the four railway tracks. The viaducts on the south side are of red sandstone.
The new bridge, together with the High Level completed a loop of railway tracks using both sides of the Tyne making train movements easier. Trains from north or south of Newcastle could now enter or leave via the new bridge and the west end of Central Station, which now became a through station for north-south trains. At the Gateshead end are two viaducts, one turning west and one east so that trains can be sent in either direction.
Construction began in July 1902; the bridge was opened by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra on 10 July 1906.Today it carries the main East Coast railway and isListed Grade II. (See also entries for Newcastle High Level Bridge and Newcastle Swing Bridge)
By road: On B 6330, Skinnerburn Road
By rail: Approx 1 km from Newcastle Station
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Structurae - King Edward VII Bridge