A cyclist using the reopened tunnel in 2019 (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

The cost of the heavily-delayed renovation of the Tyne Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnel was more than £11 million higher than planned. A lengthy refurbishment of the river crossing took more than a decade to complete, after the project suffered from a range of setbacks.

The final stage of the works was completed 12 months ago, when two bespoke glass lifts were finally unveiled to the public. North East transport bosses have now confirmed to the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the final bill for the revamp of the 1950s tunnel came in at £18.2 million – significantly more than the initial expected cost of £6.9 million.

The troublesome glass lifts alone cost £2 million and had become a source of major frustr

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