Tyne Tunnel traffic fell by 70% during lockdown - transport chiefs promise support for 'vital' part of road network

More than 50,000 people used the river crossing last year, but the fallout from COVID-19 has seen traffic levels fall by up to 70%.

However, travel bosses in the North East are also cautiously hopeful the road link could recover quickly, with a revival in fortunes currently looking ‘more promising’ than on the public transport network.

“Public transport passengers have plummeted during COVID,” said Tobyn Hughes, managing director of Transport North East and Metro operator Nexus.

“Road traffic also reduced significantly, to 30% or less of normal levels, although local levels are starting to increase again as parts of the economy begin to open up.

“We’ve discussed the impact on buses and Metro finances, but it’s also worth noting that the Tyne Tunnel, which is a PFI (public finance initiative) contract, has also suffered.”

Hughes was speaking at a meeting of the North East Joint Transport Committee, which was held remotely due to social distancing guidelines and broadcast via Youtube.

According to a report for the panel, lockdown has had a ‘profound effect’ on toll income used to pay off debts from the construction of the second road tunnel.

It added the Department for Transport had been contacted about possible financial assistance for the crossing, which has remained fully operational throughout the pandemic.

Speaking after the meeting, Martin Gannon, the committee’s chairman, said: “TT2 Ltd, which operates the Tyne Tunnels on behalf of the North East Joint Transport Committee, has requested assistance from Government given the severe loss of income suffered as a result of traffic flows during Covid-19 lockdown measures.

“We are in discussions with TT2 Ltd to explore ways to provide them with support during this crisis period.

“While no central government funding has been provided for the Tyne Tunnels, advice from government to local authorities is to engage with key suppliers to ensure they are able to continue to provide services.

“The Tyne Tunnels are a vital part of the regional road network and we are keen to work with TT2 to provide an appropriate form of support in the short term and to keep in place the longer term plans for future improvements to the Tyne Tunnels, including the Tyne Pass freeflow project.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

How to subscribe to the print edition

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of. Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.