The Sun.
London, England, 1825-04-21 00:00:00

The population of North Shields and Tynemouth, and the
population of South Shields and Westoe, form a total of
50,000 inhabitants, exceeding any town on the great North
Road between 'London and Edinburgh ; but the river is a
great obstacle to general intercourse.
In passing, or conveying goods across the river at Shields
by boats, it must be acknowledged that the risk, at all times
great, has been rendered more'so of late by the increase of traf-
lie, and the rapid movements of the numerous steam vessels,
which greatly endanger the lives of persons crossing, of which
there are innumerable instances. The Bridge would remedy
the evil, and the large population of both towns, now divided,
would derive incalculable advantages from the Union. North
Shields, would then be within 7 miles of Sunderland, though
at Present any person travelling post between those towns, will
4114 the distance to be nearly 20 miles ; and the line of corn_
nlnnie,ztion between-Sunderland and South Shields with Mar-
Petit) the great mart for cattle, would be considerably shortened.
Sunderland is 27 miles from Morpeth by Newcastle, at present
the only road, but by way of North Shields, where there is
tow an excellent turnpike, the distance would be reduced to
23 miles. The distance from South Shields to Morpeth,
through Newcastle, is 26 miles, but by North. Shields it would
tot exceed 17 miles of good and level turnpike-road. In each
Case, the hills and pavement, from the Barras Bridge at New-
castle to the head of Gateshead (an inconvenience much com-
plained of, and which does more injury to cattle than driving
them 6 or 7 miles upon an ordinary turnpike) would be avoid-
ed, and the expence and delay of keeping the cattle upon the
road (no trifling consideration) would be saved.

The Resident in North Shields would have a conveyance
from his own door directly southward, whilst those of South
Shields and Sunderland would find a similar advantage in pro-
ceeding northward.
The increasing populous towns of Blyth and Hartley, (of
great consequence from their connection with collieries which
from
multiplying in their neighbourhood) the former distant
Iroro North Shields ten miles, the latter six miles, both situated
43,11 the sea coast, will receive the greatest benefit from the
rsridge in their communication with the south, through sea-
port towns with which they have considerable and important
Intercourse ; and they will also partake of the general improve,
went of North and South Shields.
The persons interested in Sunderland Bridge and in the
roads from South Shields to Durham and Stockton, from North
Shields to Newcastle, and from Shields to Morpeth, must
11'1P great advantage from the increase of passage which the
ridge will promote.
llie project will bear consideration not only as a mere matter of
local importance, but in a national point of view, as regards the
advantage Government will derive from the facility which will
given to the passage of troops, ordnance, and stores from
orth to South Shields. Tynemouth Castle has been long
co"sed as a depot for military stores ; but the want of a ready
mm . ..
st unication with the southern of the river, was con -
fi:SIY felt during the late warwhen a bridge of barges and
little bottomed boats was constructed at enormous expence to
.Purose.
it understood that the distance from North Shields to Edin-
eit`gh, by a coast road, is shorter than from Newcastle to that
bY five or six miles, and by a more level road ; and that a
Volg of, six or seven miles can be made in the distance from
the tO South Shields. It follows, then that, by a Bridgeover
alkil,,Yl?e at Shields, the distance is shortened, between Fork
att.tl-111nburgh, twelve or thirteen miles, Which will deserve the-
-4410n and support of his Lordship the Postmaster General
.ps,:}eration is about to be made in the running of the mail, to
it i 4°lll Sunderland to Newcastle, missing South Shields ; yet
is 03 Certain this measure, so serious an evil to the inhabitants,
lit'l,Y resorted to for want of the projected Bridge.
to bi!,s. 'seedless to comment on the advantages which will result
the itlyiduals whose estates are in the immediate vicinity of
hn ridge, or the eastern parts of Durham and Northumber-
Nee s The establishment of a good market at Shields must
114itarily follow, from the encreased demand of the large
1,70 Population and the facility of supply.
of ugh the great benefit the ancient and commercial town
Pros_eew.castle, the capital of the North, .must derive from the
tape!)
trity of Shields has not been stated as one of the advant
ougho be calculated upeon from the Suspension Bridge, i
op tra‘!,lot.to be overlooked, especially when the great increase
rail." Is considered which must accrue from the proposed
r, °ad to Carlisle.
ti Pt. B„w
t 008 sh_„ n undertakes that the cost of the Bridge and erec-
uY
ca 41.1 not exceed 930001., which is to be provided for
ttith. Trail of 100,0001. in shares of one hundred pounds
that he It only, therefore, remains to satisfy the Capitalist
"I receive a remunerating interest, of which there is,
'ro Prospect The tolls are estimated on
„the present existing
Izety-ernonuArser betty en the two towns and adjacent country, at a
i'seriram`._'esatp calculation, to produce 6,000/. per annum, though
As id e increase may be fairly contemplated as soon as the
of re Ls
to4l3l4elorithorePeh
intercourse
Indeed there can be no doubt, independent
of the district, that this will be a consider-
Bt,Nr, g rare for travellers pursuing their route along the
ges
,wnill_ thus embrace the opportunity of crossing the •
Of thuet aml Shields, the latter promising' to be
Astly, 1'4'13! s works in the kingdom.
Projects
of advantages to be derived are not,. .as in most of
the present day, fallacious or visionary ; there
11110:al bO7
iception, as the benefits, both public and private,
kooWleedmPlared and appreciated by every one possessing
szudnesrcrin
ge.
inpdtion lists are left at the banks in Newcastle,
Is al" ch , Durham, and Stockton ; and with Messrs.
already
aPstan, bankers, London. One-third of the capital
Y subscribed.