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Tyne Bridge: Celebrating 100 Years — [Sir Roger Gale in the Chair]
23 June 2021
Lead MP
Chi Onwurah
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Lab
Responding Minister
Eddie Hughes
Tags
TaxationBenefits & Welfare
Word Count: 3135
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
Chi Onwurah raised concerns about tyne bridge: celebrating 100 years — [sir roger gale in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The lead MP requests that the Minister support the £18.5 million needed from the levelling up fund for the Tyne bridge's refurbishment and celebration in 2028. She also asks how the Minister will ensure local communities benefit and if he will work with other Departments to celebrate engineering stories, particularly those of women engineers like Dorothy Buchanan.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The Tyne bridge, a symbol of the north-east's engineering prowess and culture, is facing disrepair. It has not received proper maintenance since its last full paint job in 2000, with concerns about safety checks, repairs, preservation, and upkeep being overdue. The lack of recent significant celebrations for the bridge, compared to similar iconic structures like the Sydney Harbour bridge, highlights a potential neglect by the Government towards the region.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
Dorman Long, based in Middlesbrough, played a pivotal role in building not just the Tyne Bridge but also other significant structures such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Their contribution to engineering should be celebrated.
David Rutley
Con
Macclesfield
The Tyne Bridge is a marvel of engineering, constructed by Middlesbrough firm Dorman Long and designed by George Washington Fellows. It has been crucial to local communities and the economy for over 90 years.
Margot James
Constitutional Conservative
Stourbridge
The Tyne Bridge is an iconic symbol of British engineering excellence, marking a century of service and innovation in structural design.
Government Response
Eddie Hughes
Government Response
The minister praised the Tyne bridge as a source of immense pride for communities in the north-east, noting its importance as an international symbol of Tyneside's industrial excellence. He welcomed proposals to celebrate the anniversary and acknowledged Newcastle's bid for the levelling-up fund, though he could not comment on specific bids due to ongoing assessment. The minister highlighted significant government investments in the region, including £47 million from the getting building fund, £198 million through the transforming cities fund, and more than £9 million from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport culture recovery fund. He also expressed his enthusiasm for engaging more women in engineering.
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Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.