Jake Kennedy

maps The tyne bridges Millenium bridge SwingSwing bridge transport Fishing Pictures of bridges River facts and figures

View full map » River Tyne The River Tyne flows from Hedwin Streams at Ryton, through the heart of Newcastle and Gateshead to Tynemouth and the sea.Newcastle Navigable by larger craft for 16 miles, the river's full 62 miles are appreciated by anglers, rowers and canoeists. Plus you have all the amenities and attractions of a big UK city on the doorstep

The tolls were universally hated as a tax on travel to bolster the greedy rail company bosses. Of course, the need for increased capacity in river crossing was a driving force in planning the new bridge, but it is instructive to see the LNER's wriggling and objections to it. It was reaping £20,000 (£600,000 $1m in today's terms) per year from the Corporation Tram tolls alone.

Trade was greatly stimulated after the Swing Bridge opened. Armstrong's Elswick shpyard commenced in 1883 and various other works benefited and coal shipments from northwest Durham became much easier and facilitated the opening of new staiths at Dunston in 1893 and With the closure of the staiths first at West Dunston in 1934 and then Derwenthaugh in 1960, the number of openings was considerably reduced and finally when Dunston staiths closed in 1980 openings became infrequent although swings have increased a little in recent years as pleasure boats pass through. In 2002 for example there were 89 swings up to 14 September. This compares to 6000 in the peak year of 1924 and 900 annualy in the 1970s. The ships Bessie Surtees and Hexhamshire Lass which carried fly ash from the Stella power stations for dumping at sea being regular travellers past the bridge, were built low enough to pass under the bridge without the need for its opening. The bridge still provides a vital road crossing and is permanently manned

Once the arch was secured, work on the road deck could continue. The gas, water and electricity companies were given rights to install pipes in the service duct under the roadway.

The Tyne is rightly regarded as the best Salmon River in England and Wales. Environment Agency catch returns and fish counts from the station at Riding Mill endorse this, with fish entering the river system every month of the year.

THE WAY TO GO - BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT A public transport alternative appears in italics. To reach individual attractions you will need a combination of Metro, local buses and some walking. WAY TO GO - BY

Facts about fishing in the tyne The legendary Tyne salmon with weights up to 35lbs Sea trout runs are excellent with good average weights Brown trout fishing is good for both wild and stocked fish Grayling fishing is improving nicely on the tributary River Derwent; already an established brown trout fishery Coarse fishing is improving with good mixed catches of dace, roach and chub

HistoryHistory about the river Tyne.about the river Tyne. The Tyne is a risen angel in the world of high class salmon fishing. From its low in 1959 where no salmon or sea trout where reported caught by rod and line today we see over 6000 migratory fish landed. This renaissance means that the Tyne is now the best salmon river in England and Wales. Since its industrial heyday the quality of the water in the Tyne has dramatically improved thanks to massive investment from water companies and government and at last can support a growing population of iconic fish species. To add to its success the Tyne has over 600,000 fry returned to its waters by Kielder Hatchery giving a huge boost to the viability of salmon in the river

Millennium Bridge King Edward bridge

RiverRiver facts and figures The Tyne Catchments covers 1000 square miles and offers over 860 miles of waterway. Around 100 miles of this can be fished but as new beats are developed all the time the opportunity to explore one of Britain's most attractive and varied rivers is still growing. The Tyne runs from the Scottish borders in the north and North Pennines in the south to converge at Hexham to become the River Tyne. From there it flows through the stunning Tyne Valley to Newcastle and Gateshead before emptying into the North Sea at Tynemouth