Work on a £5.2 million project to strengthen the High Level Bridge which provides a vital road and railway link over the River Tyne is now complete.

Network Rail overhauled the underside of the Victorian-built structure which connects Gateshead and Newcastle.

Designed by railway pioneer Robert Stephenson, when complete in 1849 it was the first double-decker road and railway bridge in the world.

Today, 25 July, High Level Bridge has reopened as normal for pedestrians and road users after essential repainting and strengthening work beneath them.

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The 175-year-old bridge needs regular maintenance, and this latest overhaul by Network Rail and contractor AmcoGiffen has seen:

• Grit blasting and repainting of the structural beams holding up the road and pedestrian decks to stop them from being weakened from corrosion

• Structural repairs to wrought ironwork across the bridge at road and pedestrian level

• Waterproofing the road deck and improving the drainage channels on the road to protect the newly refurbished structural beams below

• Resurfacing the carriageway for a smoother ride for cyclists and road traffic

Train journeys have been unaffected with all services running on the top bridge deck as normal throughout the project.

As a Grade I listed structure, a complex scaffolding system had to be hung from the bridge without it interfering with the original ironwork.