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Noon has passed so check the date; Toll bell rings for Tyne bridge

Tyneside’s motorists are set for further heartache as a local authority announced it will be implementing a toll paying system across the Tyne Bridge.

New payment booths are to be erected across the bridge in the coming weeks at a cost of £15m.

The authorities hope to recoup the money in no time at all, with a standard charge of £2 being incurred to the driver each time their car makes a single journey across the bridge.

Heavy goods vehicles will be charged £3.

Leigh Weigh, spokesperson for the organisers, said: “This is great for the region. For years traffic flow has been a huge issue across this stretch of road and this new system is set to make things much more convenient for the motorist by curing congestion problems.

“We are hoping to have the new bays in order by the middle of the month and people will be working through the night to make sure this gets up and running.

“I’m sure it is something that will gain great support from both the Newcastle and Gateshead public.”

Plans to implement a charge across The Swing Bridge are also being discussed.

Following the success of this announcement, authorities are looking to expand the scheme to the bridges crossing the Wear and Tees.

The Tyne Bridge is one of Newcastle’s most instantly recognisable structures and was opened in 1928.

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This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .