Tyne Bridge Refurbishment

SERVICE:architectural lighting| bridges
  • Client :
  • Esh
  • Duration :
  • 18 months +
  • Value :
  • £1m+
MSF has been supporting Esh on the comprehensive refurbishment of the iconic Tyne Bridge in Newcastle, a historic landmark and Grade II listed structure which opened in 1928.
value engineering
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cabling
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architectural lights
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Involvement

MSF's involvement began during the ECI phase with a comprehensive electrical survey to assess the existing infrastructure. The survey included all existing lighting systems, along with the feeder pillars and distribution systems to determine what could be retained and what required upgrading.

Following the ECI phase, MSF’s team has been progressively delivering the following:

Installation of a new 132 unit architectural lighting system

Cable ‘proving’ surveys to identify redundant cables

New cable installations through the utility voids which carry services across from Gateshead to Newcastle

Installation of two external feeder pillars, four new internal distribution boards, new circuits, and a full plant room fit-out

New power supplies for the Great North Run signage

Refusbishment of 50 original cast iron lamp columns, and installation of 90 new LED lanterns.

Design and installation of temporary lighting systems to maintain lighting during refurbishment

Temporary power supplies to the scaffolding and working area

The phased nature of this project has required close coordination with Esh and Newcastle City Council. Works have been carefully sequenced to accommodate the bridge's continued operation.

Architectural Lighting & Bespoke Design

LED Lanterns
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columns refurbished
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electrical apprentices
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The new architectural lighting system allows the bridge to be illuminated in different colours for various events and occasions. It consists of 56 LED colour kinetic lights on the bridge arch, 16 LED colour changing floodlights and 60 LED internal bulkheads for the towers. This new system integrates seamlessly with the existing architectural lighting on the quayside, and both are controlled from one central point on the quayside.

The original design specified a cable tray to carry cables across the bridge, but this proved impractical due to the varying void spaces throughout the structure. MSF’s team worked collaboratively with Esh and the council to develop an alternative solution using bespoke steel brackets.

These custom C-clamp brackets bolt directly onto the bridge structure and can accommodate the bridge’s structural variations. They used less material were also quicker to install than the cable trays, resulting in a saving of £300k though value engineering.

Workforce Development

Under the close mentorship of one of our senior electricians, Chris Gill, this project has presented a fantastic opportunity to two of our electrical apprentices, Ben Ruddick and Ethan Browell, giving them the chance to work at height, in confined spaces, and on a heritage structure.

Both apprentices underwent confined spaces training as a result of this project, and now have that experience to deploy on future schemes. Upskilling our staff in this way helps to strengthen our business overall, whilst giving valuable personal growth opportunities to our apprentices.
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