The Shields Ferry will return to service early next week following a period of disruption, it has been confirmed.
Nexus confirmed that crossings between North and South Shields will resume on Monday, April 27, beginning at 6.45am, after repairs were completed at the North Shields landing.
The terminal had been closed since January after it was damaged during Storm Chandra.
Cathy Massarella, managing director of Nexus, said: "I’m very pleased to confirm that the Shields Ferry will be returning to service next week.
"This will come into effect from Monday at 6.45am at our South Shields landing.
"A normal timetable will be in place."
The closure was put in place as a safety precaution while engineers carried out essential repair work and installed new monitoring equipment to track movement at the landing.
Ms Massarella said: "As always, safety is our top priority and we’re confident we’re in a place to welcome back the public.
"However, the landing remains an aged asset.
"The work we’ve carried out prolongs its use, but people can be reassured we are keeping a very close eye on the structure using this monitoring equipment.
"My thanks go to our customers and the wider community that the ferry serves for their patience during the service suspension.
"The Shields Ferry is a vital local transport link.
"It’s great to restore the service in time for the bank holiday weekend and the summer."
The North Shields landing, which was first opened in 2004, will eventually be replaced by a new terminal near North Shields Fish Quay, which is expected to open in 2027.
While the latest repairs have extended the life of the current landing, Nexus emphasised that it will continue to monitor the structure closely.
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During the ferry’s downtime, staff took the opportunity to carry out additional work, including cosmetic upgrades to the South Shields landing, routine maintenance on both vessels, and further crew training.
Progress on the new North Shields landing is on track, with the project now moving into its next phase of development.
The Shields Ferry remains a key part of public transport in the region, connecting communities across the River Tyne.
