Construction of the Tyne Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnels

The tunnels were constructed in 1951, as part of the Festival of Britain celebrations, to get workers quickly between the shipyards on the north and south banks of the Tyne. They run between Jarrow and Howdon.

More information available at the Tyne Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnels website.






Excavation of entrance tunnel.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Jarrow site, tunnel entrance.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Start of excavation of cyclist tunnel.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Shield chamber under construction.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Linking the tunnels north - south.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Interior of tunnel with construction gang at work.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Mid point of tunnel with construction gang at work.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Mid point of the completed cyclist tunnel.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Jarrow side, entrance building completed.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Escalator shaft under construction.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Construction of escalators, supports in place.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Completed escalators.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Interior of one of the lift shafts during construction.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Completed escalators.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Excavation of Entrance Tunnel.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Preparation of the Tyne Tunnels.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Tyne Tunnels Aerial View.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




View of The Tunnel Interior.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.






More old photos on this site:

2 comments:

Dennis Gates said...

As a person born in the Battlefield in 1948 but never had a bike till i moved to Newton Aycliffe,
and then Cycled in later life many a time through the Tunnel,
So seeing these photos was very nice.
We take things fo granted, But we should not really.
So thank you for a chance to see the photos.

Newcastle Photos said...

You're welcome. The tunnels are to re-open in Autumn 2018 according to the website after being closed for years.