Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) president Anusha Shah met with the team undertaking the much-anticipated restoration programme on the Tyne Bridge on a recent visit to the North East.
Prof Shah talked to representatives from Esh Construction, Newcastle City Council and WSP ahead of the project kicking off in April. Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) chairperson, Ross Markwell, and director, Stuart Miller, also joined the visit.
Investigations have shown that more than 900 repairs are needed to preserve the landmark for future generations, including repairs to the bridge's concrete, stonework and masonry, along with waterproofing, bridge joint replacement and resurfacing works.
Read more: 10 questions for Chrissie Plunkett of Twist
Prof Shah said: “The passion and the enthusiasm of the project team for the task at hand shines through, as well as the pride they each have towards the Tyne Bridge, and I wish them the best of luck in restoring this regional icon for generations to come. Thanks to Esh Construction, and the wider project team, for taking the time to take me through the finer details of this much anticipated project.”
Esh Construction’s divisional director, Steven Garrigan, said: “Contrary to wider perceptions, this project is far more than just a ‘lick of paint’. The condition of the existing structure requires the design of some complex temporary works in order to provide scaffolding to access the repairs and strengthening works which are essential to futureproof the bridge for the next 100 years and more. As a local contractor, we are proud to be restoring a regional icon and it was a pleasure to welcome Prof Shah and CECA to see the progress to date."
Several North East businesspeople and organisations took home awards at the recent 2024 Northern Power Women Awards delivered by We Are Power.
Most Read
The programme is said to be the largest celebration of gender equality in Europe and aims to showcase Northern-based organisations and individuals of all genders who are exceptional role models and drive positive change. At a ceremony in Manchester, Alison Dunn, CEO of Citizens Advice Gateshead scooped the Levelling Up Leader title; Nicola Wood, CEO of Sunderland-based The Wonderful Wig Company took home the Disruptor for Good Award; Square One Law was awarded the Small/Medium Enterprise category and Northumbrian Water was judged the best Large Business.
Simone Roche, CEO of We Are Power, said: “The truly exceptional line up of 2024 winners demonstrate everything we stand for: gender equality, diversity, business for good and prosperity. They show the enormous impact people can have on their industries and communities.”
Tyne Tunnels operator TT2 has pledged to support the Tiny Lives Trust and Red Sky Foundation for a second year running with a £18,000 donation towards transport for families of sick babies to and from hospital.
TT2 is gifting the Tiny Lives scheme £15,000, following a £10,000 donation last year which supported 362 families with babies in neo-natal care. Red Sky Foundation’s transport scheme supports families of children undergoing heart surgery and has received £3,000 from TT2 following a £2,000 donation last year.
The sums will be used to buy hospital parking permits for parents with a car and public transport travel passes for those without, as well has help with fuel costs for those in the greatest hardship. Rachel Hardwick, Funding & Partnerships officer at Tiny Lives, said: “We cannot thank TT2 enough for its support. Donations like this one help us provide a valuable safety net for parents entering a world completely out of their control by supplying items, funds, staff specialists and support networks to help make their neonatal journeys a little easier.”
TT2’s chief operating officer, Shaun Simmons, added: “One of the key purposes of our community fund is to provide safe and efficient transport connections by working with causes that provide, or support vital transport in the region. We also encourage and promote safe travel through partnerships with charities and organisations. Having a premature or poorly newborn baby can be one of the most difficult and life-changing challenges a family can experience, so when we heard we could play a part in supporting parents in this terrible position, we were delighted to do so."
Three students from Newcastle University have been selected as 'Marketers of the Future' by industry body the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).
Don’t miss
Lauren Parr, Mehek Hathiramani and Jenny Vu were selected as winners of the CIM's The Pitch competition which sees students from leading universities compete to respond to a client brief and is designed to accelerate the career of students studying a marketing or business degree, by developing their presentation, communication and problem-solving skills.
This year, the competition's 13th edition, undergraduate students were given a £5,000 budget and asked to devise a plan to help charity EveryYouth create a positive online experience and increase donor engagement. Mark Scott, director of Marketing and Communication at CIM said: “The standard was super-high and well done to all of the shortlisted teams who worked really hard on their proposals, and a huge congratulations to Lauren Parr, Mehek Hathiramani and Jenny Vu who won the undergrad category. Their innovative ideas and presentation skills really shone through.”
North East charity the Headlight Project has launched a new campaign to help grieving families through the inquest process.
The Stockton-based organisation, which specialising in supporting those who have lost a loved one to suicide, was launched by Catherine Devereux after her beloved husband, Russ, tragically took his own life in 2018. Now through its Guiding Light scheme the charity has created video content that helps explain the process and purpose of an inquest which occurs after a sudden or unexplained death.
Katie Devereux, who leads the charity, said: “An inquest is something nobody ever expects or wants to be part of. Families are understandably worried about what information will emerge and it can often trigger the raw initial grief felt in the immediate aftermath of that person’s death. The inquest itself is undoubtedly one of the main worries that is flagged by our clients. That’s why we were determined to create a well-informed resource that opens up the inquest process and helps people prepare for what they can and can’t expect."
The Headlight Project has used experts for the series, including Alistair Smith, a solicitor for the local law firm Watson Woodhouse. Mr Smith said: "The Headlight Project is a fantastic charity helping those who have lost a loved one through suicide. We know of those who have received help and they have nothing but praise for all involved at the project. We are honoured to have been asked to assist in just a small way and look forward to working with them in the future."