Tyneside leaders have called for action to clean up the High Level Bridge.
Council chiefs on either side of the River Tyne have lamented a “big problem” with the busy crossing - with graffiti and broken lighting leaving the historic bridge in an ugly state for pedestrians and cyclists.
Gateshead Council transport boss Coun John McElroy told a meeting of the Joint Tyne Bridges Committee that it was “such a shame” that the Grade-I listed structure had been allowed to deteriorate.
He added: “It is a really important gateway, particularly for people going to Gateshead from Central Station. It has become a major thoroughfare now.
“It used to be a no-go area but now it really is busy. It is a shame that it is often in such a poor state with graffiti.
“It is the people who do the graffiti that are the problem, not us.
“But if we can find some mechanism to do some work it would be good to see that.”
Graffiti was removed from the bridge last year so that it could look its best for the Great Exhibition of the North.
That came almost two years after a study concluded that a full clean-up would cost £40,000 that Network Rail, which is responsible for the iconic bridge, said it was unable to pay.
Coun McElroy added: “Eleven or 12 years ago when it was refurbished there was a lot of money spent and it was wonderful.
“I think it would be such a shame for it to deteriorate further. It won’t be a no-go area again because it is busy, but it could be nicer.”
Council officers have confirmed that an agreement is now in place so that local authorities can carry out graffiti removal and other clean-up activities without needing the permission of Network Rail.
Coun Arlene Ainsley, Newcastle City Council’s cabinet member for transport, added: “We are trying to increase the number of people using active travel, so we have to make the routes to do that safe and appealing to people.”
