More Post-WWII Plans for Newcastle

A short while ago I wrote about the 'Development Plan' the local authorities had for Newcastle in 1954. Well, a few days ago I stumbled upon another such scheme in a booklet entitled Plan - Newcastle upon Tyne, 1945. Here's the cover:

The publication is an official council effort, runs to more than 130 pages and includes many maps and illustrations. It is remarkable in its optimism and ambition - perhaps typifying the general mood of the nation a matter of weeks - days, in fact - after the conclusion of hostilities. As far as I can make out, virtually none of the 'plans' reached fruition, though there is so much in there that it is difficult to take it all in! To give you a taste of what the council had in mind I shall let you see a few images from the little booklet - the quality is not great, but I hope you can make sense of them (click on the pics to enlarge).

Take a look at this dramatic road restructuring plan!

The proposed new town hall was to be in exactly the same spot as the future 1960s effort.

Then there was a new Redheugh Bridge.

And a super new river crossing at Scotswood. This isn't too far removed from the structure which eventually opened in 1990.

And whatever became of the St.Anthony's Bridge?

Remarkable stuff. If you ever get the chance to get your hands on a copy of this booklet, then don't pass up the opportunity.

Bridges of Tyne

A couple of days ago I unearthed an old photo album containing some of my earliest efforts at B&W photography. Among them were a series of snaps from Boxing Day 1984. I'd just turned 20, and my dad ran me down to the Quayside on a crisp, clear morning to indulge my latest fad. I've included five of the many images I gathered that day - a little short of 38 years ago. Bloody Nora.

The first is the classic shot from a little in front of the old Milk Market. There were six bridges grouped together betwixt Newcastle and Gateshead at this point in time, with four clearly visible here (Tyne, Swing, High Level and Metro). And that's the Tuxedo Princess floating nightclub, of course, moored on the Gateshead side. I had my stag night there in 1987. 

Here's the awesome sight of the High Level Bridge from the Newcastle end - soak up that winter sunshine!

The High Level Bridge again, with the Swing and Tyne Bridges in the background.

And further evidence of the day's sparkling weather, as the sun glints through the girders of the recently-built Metro Bridge (opened 1981). The King Edward VII Railway Bridge can be seen in the background, as can (just) the underside of the new Redheugh Bridge (opened a year or so previously, in 1983).

Hard to believe that these photos were taken almost two decades before the Millennium Bridge saw light of day!

Oh, and on the way home we had to dip down to Scotswood to capture good old 'Scotchy Bridge':

When this bridge opened in the Spring of 1967 I was a very young nipper. At the time, my dad rode to work on a bike from Denton Burn to Blaydon Haughs - crossing this bridge as he went. In my innocence I assumed that he had to pedal over the fullness of the arch!

Boy, those photographs took some peeling outta that album. Suppose they had been sitting there for a long time, mind.