AN arched section of an iron bridge on the Tyne & Wear Metro network, which was commissioned by the North Eastern Railway, is to be preserved once the bridge is replaced in July.
Dating from 1863, the structure at Tanners Bank in North Shields has carried Metro traffic since the North Tyneside loop was converted from heavy rail operation.
A £3 million project will see it removed during a 14-day line closure from July 16-29 and a new bridge put in place, giving 1.5 metres of additional headroom for road vehicles heading to and from North Shields Fish Quay.
Metro operator Nexus says it intends to donate the section bearing the date of construction and name of the manufacturer, Hawks, Crawshay & Sons, to the Stephenson Railway Museum.