Opened in 1951 to carry ship yard workers across the Tyne, replacing the ferry service, the Tyne Pedestrian and Cyclist tunnel is in fact two tunnels 275m long. The single flight 61m escalators were the world's longest when they were installed and are still the longest wooden escalators still operating. Following the decline in heavy industry on the Tyne, the tunnels are barely used in comparison to their 50's heyday and have fallen into serious disrepair. They are due to be closed early in 2013 for a much needed overhaul and, sadly, removal of the wooden escalators which following the Kings Cross fire are considered unsafe.
