Shields Ferry still suspended following Storm Chandra damage
The Shields Ferry remains suspended after storm damage, with bosses hoping that it can return to operation this week.
The Shields Ferry remains suspended after storm damage, with bosses hoping that it can return to operation this week.
Transport chiefs say they are still working to get repairs to the ferry’s north landing completed, after the North Shields structure suffered damage during Storm Chandra last week.
The ferry service has been off since last Thursday, January 29, with a replacement bus through the Tyne Tunnel running in its place.
Operator Nexus says it is “working hard to get the repairs completed this week”, with a further update expected on Wednesday.
The north landing has been in a deteriorating condition for years and is due to be replaced by a new jetty at the North Shields Fish Quay, a £24 million development due to open in 2027, after warnings that a failure to do so would put the ferry at risk of being permanently closed down.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that the latest damage to the current landing is not considered so severe that it is beyond repair.
Nexus also confirmed that the urgent works to fix the Storm Chandra damage should not have any knock-on impact for the Fish Quay landing project.
John Souter, head of customer service operations at Nexus, said: “The current temporary closure of the Shields Ferry is a precautionary measure in the interest of public safety. A detailed inspection of the North Shields landing has determined it requires urgent repairs, due to damage that was caused during Storm Chandra.
“It is not possible to have the landing in use until these works are complete. The repairs need to be undertaken by specialist maritime engineers, and we are working hard to get the repairs completed this week.
“We’ve been working with our contractors over the weekend, and further surveys and works will be taking place when the conditions allow. We will provide a further update on Wednesday.
“Underwater inspections of the structure need to be carried out by specially trained divers to get a full understanding of the situation. We are working hard to get this resolved so that we can get the Ferry back into operation as usual. We apologise for the inconvenience to our customers.”
Replacement buses are running on the hour and half past the hour from each ferry landing. Cyclists trying to cross the river have been advised to use the Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel instead, as bikes are not allowed on the buses.