Tunnels
The Tyne Tunnels are located between the historic towns of Wallsend, in North Tyneside and Jarrow, in South Tyneside, and are operated by TT2.
TT2 offers customers three different options of crossing the River Tyne – by foot, by bicycle, or by motor vehicle through one of three dedicated tunnels.
The Vehicle Tunnel takes all types of motor vehicles. It is a two-way road and tolled.
The Pedestrian and Cycle tunnels share the same entrance but comprise two separate tunnels, exclusively used by either pedestrians or cyclists. Both the Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnels are free.
All three tunnels are open 24 hours per day and operate every day of the year.
The Vehicle Tunnel joins two parts of the A19 Trunk Road and the Cyclist tunnel joins with the coast to coast (C2C) Cycle Route.
Bye-Laws
Our current Bye-Laws arise from the 1960 Tyne Tunnel Act, which absorbed the then existing Pedestrian Tunnel Bye- Laws.
These rules cover everything within our area of authority. They detail how people must behave within our site. We attempt to enforce them in a customer focussed manner using the rules to improve safety.
As well as being listed on the Internet the Bye-Laws can be inspected on request.
Tyne Tunnels History
In order to meet the growing, and widely recognised, need for a river crossing east of Newcastle, towards the sea, a proposal was considered during the 1920s for a tunnel between North and South Shields. This was to carry high-speed electric monorail cars. Original nineteenth century proposals for another bridge across the Tyne had given way to a tunnel. Although the cost of a new bridge was likely to be lower, there were strong objections to a bridge crossing because of its effect on navigation in the lower reaches of the river, where some of the largest vessels in the world were built and came to be repaired and refitted.
In 1926, the Ministry of Transport made a Provisional Order authorising construction of the new tunnel, but some aspects of the scheme were the subject of local objections and the House of Commons rejected the subsequent Bill on the second reading.
Special Services
Special services required for passage through the tunnels shall incur additional charges. These charges are detailed within the ‘Special Services' download.
Approach Times Now!
Useful Information
| Vehicle | Cash | |
|---|---|---|
| Motorbikes | 20p | |
| Car/Light Van (<=3500 Kg) Bus (<=16 p. excl. driver) |
£1.20 | |
| Lorry/Van (> 3500 KG) Bus (>16 p. excl. driver) |
£1.50 |
