The Tyne Bridge and High Level Bridge have been closed by police as emergency services deal with an ongoing incident.
Police were forced to evacuate the Tyne Bridge at about 5.20pm due to a man climbing up the arch of the structure.
The bridge has been closed for more than two hours with a huge emergency service response descending on the scene including police, fire brigade, paramedics and a specialist diving squad.
Eyewitnesses have seen the man at the top of the Tyne Bridge as emergency services attempt to talk him down.
At about 7.30pm a spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: " We are still at the scene on the Tyne Bridge.
"Specially trained officers are speaking with the man to try and bring him to safety.
"While traffic is easing, we ask people to avoid the area. We thank you all for your patience in this matter."
One man watching the incident unfold from the Quayside said: “He’s been up there for at least two and a half hours. He still won’t come down.”
The incident has caused mayhem for rush-hour traffic with police advising drivers to avoid the area if possible.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said earlier this evening: "We are currently dealing with an incident concerning a man on the Tyne Bridge.
"The bridge is closed as we deal with the incident. This is likely to cause disruption during rush-hour."
There has also been many bus cancellations with tailbacks stretching miles on either side of the bridge.
Police have also confirmed at around 6.15pm that they have cordoned off the nearby High Level Bridge in connection to the ongoing incident.
A spokesman added: "There is disruption on the High Level Bridge which is linked to the ongoing incident on the Tyne Bridge.
“We have advised Go North East to divert its services as the High Level Bridge is closed to traffic.”
