THE deck of the new landmark river crossing in the North-East is beginning to move into place.

Final preparations were made over the weekend by the team behind the new Wear crossing in Sunderland, to enable the 300-metre bridge deck to be laid safely from the south side of the river, in Pallion, to Castletown, on the north embankment.

But, engineers stressed the initial phase was likely to be particularly slow, as the temporary nose, in blue steel, is guided carefully to thread it through the 100-metre tall central pylon.

Bridge watchers were warned they would be unlikely to notice much movement, as the hydraulic jack-operated launch progresses at a controlled pace.

It is expected that the process could take at least two days, depending on weather conditions.

Once in place, the deck span will only be missing a final 40-metre section, which will be constructed over the summer months, on the north side of the river.

It is hoped the bridge will be completed next year.