King Edward VII Bridge

King Edward VII Bridge is a railway crossing that spans the River Tyne between Newcastle and Gateshead, supported by four large lattice steel spans resting on concrete and stone piers. The structure connects both riverbanks with a total length of around 350 meters and carries multiple railway tracks for trains to pass through.

The North Eastern Railway company commissioned the bridge in 1902 to ease congestion on the older High Level Bridge, with construction finishing in 1906. This project marked a major improvement in rail infrastructure at the time, allowing trains to move more efficiently between the two areas.

The structure displays early 20th-century industrial design with its steel trusses, granite piers, and red sandstone supports that are characteristic of that era's engineering style. These materials together show how engineers of the time combined modern steel construction with traditional stone craftsmanship.

The bridge carries trains moving between Newcastle and Gateshead, so visitors can see it while traveling by rail through the area. For those wanting to view the structure from ground level, the riverbanks on both sides offer good vantage points and walkways along the water for closer observation.

During its construction, the project used the largest aerial cableway system of that time to move building materials across the river. This innovative transport system helped speed up the work and was an engineering achievement that impressed observers at the time.

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Location: Gateshead

Official opening: July 10, 1906

Length: 350.8 m

Width: 15.3 m

Made from material: steel, granite, sandstone

GPS coordinates: 54.96320,-1.61620

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:40