'Decay' found on river's historical timber structure

Decay and damage on a historical timber structure on the River Tyne have forced the cancellation of its public reopening.

More than 130 years old and previously used to load coal on to ships, Dunston Staiths, at Gateshead, had been due to open on Saturday for the first of a series of open days during spring and summer.

The Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust (TWBPT) said damage had been found in some areas that had been due to be accessed by visitors.

It said it hoped to be able to carry out repairs in time to open in the weeks ahead.

The structure is part of the nine-mile (14km) Tyne Derwent Way trail connecting sites along the river, including St Mary's Heritage Centre and the Gibside estate.

It has previously staged a number of open days between May and September.

TWBPT, which took on responsibility for the structure in the 1990s, said without repairs, the damage "could result in trip hazards and other safety risks".

The organisation's Kari Vickers said the issues were identified by a structural engineer on Tuesday as part of an assessment of the effects of the weather over winter.

"The decking on the top and lower decks is decades old, and because it's wood and because of its age, it's rotting," she explained.

"There are cracks and gaps getting through.

"The overall structure of the staiths is solid, it's more potential slip and trip hazards with the decking, the steps and handrails.

"We're going to have a detailed look this week and look at what we can do to get it open again this season."

The staiths was previously one of 30 along the river in the days when the north-east of England supplied coal to the world.

At more than 500m (1,650ft) in length, it is reputedly the largest timber structure in Europe.

Partly restored ahead of the 1990 National Garden Festival, which was staged on the adjoining land, it has since been hit by several arson attacks.

Five years ago, the National Trust entered into partnership with the TWBPT to establish what it described as a "sustainable future" for the staiths.

Follow BBC North East on X, external, Facebook, external, Nextdoor and Instagram, external.