Gateshead Millennium Bridge

I love to watch it during the night because of its reflection in the water with its colored lights, it's like a full eye.

Very nice bridge but it's a bit scary when it moves. At certain times throughout the day the bridge tilts like a blinking eye which is a spectacular event. 

Prevented the tall ships coming back to Newcastle because it is too low for the larger ships to sail up river to the accessible parts of the quayside.

Gets two stars because at least it adds another pedestrian bridge and it is vaguely interesting to watch it open and close, once.

After seeing this bridge I know now why Geordies say "why aye"; because WHY anyone would want to build this EYE is beyond me.

When I first saw it was at night time and from a distance it looked like a multi-coloured arch connecting the banks of the Tyne river. When I approached it became clear that it is one of those contemporary designed bridges popular with the name 'Millennium'. I have seen such previously in Dublin on the banks of the Liffey river but have never seen it been folded in order a ship to pass.

I came back on the following day to have a closer look at the bridge and to my delight a signal warned the walkers that the bridge is going to be closed because of a vessel.
I stayed in the crispy cold morning to see the event.

I followed the movement of the walking part upwards with a bit of excitement, my finger pressed the button of my camera at least ten times because I wanted to record every minute of it.

The most bizarre moment was when I looked at the ship and read a big board on it saying 'UK Border Agency' (for those who are wondering what it is - it is the institution foreigners have to contact in order to make work visa arrangement for the UK) - so that is where my documents were sent a few months ago!

One of the locals told me that they call the bridge 'the eye of Tyne', a name I think matches it well.