The trackwork was removed in 1972 and subsequently, in 1975, the bridge was converted into a footbridge and cyclepath linking Wylam with the Tyne Riverside Country Park at Low Prudhoe.

The bridge's design came about because there was a need to avoid having piers in the river bed, because their construction would have disrupted shallow mine workings underneath.

[6] This single span (73 m, 240 ft) is constructed of three ribs each connected with diagonal braces to prevent cross strain and distortion caused by the wind.

In the cases of the Tyne and Sydney Harbour bridges the abutments or "pylons" bear no load from the single span arch and are aesthetic.

[8] This work included removing the old lead-based paint and repainting with lead free alternatives in the bridges original colour scheme.