The grand structure that connects Gateshead and Newscastle over the River Tyne is nicknamed the ‘Blinking Eye Bridge’ because of its shape and the tilting method to let ships pass beneath.
Gateshead Millennium Bridge was opened to the public on 17 September 2001, while Her Majesty the Queen officially opened it on 7 May 2002.
The engines used for the tilting method could run eighth Ford Focus cars. The whole process seen below lasts for four and a half minutes.
Both the design and te lightning of the bridge have been awarded several times, you can find the list of these here.
The self-cleaning method of the bridge works quite simply: when litter is thrown on the pathways, they roll down into a container when bridge lifts.
Feature image crtedit: Kelly McClay
GREAT BRITANNIA 