Spectacular Photographs of Newcastle in the 1970s

Between Beresford Road (left) and Avondale Road in 1974.

Trevor Ermel

“I started taking photographs in my school days in the 1960s, as a means of recording my interest in railways,” says Trevor Ermel, whose photographs of Newcastle take us back to when the city was still synonymous with heavy industry.

In the 1970s, old terraced streets were were being demolished. The Central Motorway East was formally opened in August, 1975. The Tyne and Wear Metro rapid transit system was being constructed in readiness for its opening in August, 1980.

“From the 1970s onwards I began recording everyday scenes on Tyneside, particularly in Gateshead where I lived at the time,” says Trevor. “I mainly use the camera for the thing I think it is best at – capturing the changing world around us in a factual way. I often try to include people in pictures to provide an extra element in the scene. I now live in Whitley Bay and am often out with my camera photographing the streets of the town and the changes it is undergoing.”

h/t: flashbak

A 1976 view of the Haymarket area of Newcastle. The ABC cinema is showing the new blockbuster film ‘Jaws’.

Trevor Ermel

Signs of the times – Scotswood Road 1978

Trevor Ermel

Probably Raby Street, but open to correction.

Trevor Ermel

Westmorland Road, Newcastle opposite Marlborough Crescent bus station in 1977

Trevor Ermel

Byker back lane 1974

Trevor Ermel

A nice lineup of Northern buses at Worswick Street bus station in 1976

Trevor Ermel

Railway Street Newcastle 29-10-78

Trevor Ermel

Sunday market on the Quayside in 1978

Trevor Ermel

Neville Street and Central Station in 1976

Trevor Ermel

Newcastle end of Metro Bridge 26-7-78

Trevor Ermel

Marlborough Crescent Newcastle 12-3-77

Trevor Ermel

Newcastle Central Station 4-9-77

Trevor Ermel

Newcastle Quayside 7-10-78

Trevor Ermel

The crowds are out in force at Tynemouth to see the departure of the ‘Esso Northumbria’ on 9th February 1970, the first of the ‘supertankers’ to be built on the Tyne

Trevor Ermel

The skyline at North Shields has changed a bit since this 1975 view was taken, looking over from South Shields

Trevor Ermel

View to Newcastle from Gateshead in 1975, with a queue waiting to cross the Swing Bridge

Trevor Ermel

Pottery Lane, Newcastle, looking towards the end of the old Redheugh Bridge (to the left) in 1978

Trevor Ermel

The old Cattle Market Keeper’s House, plus some contemporary cars, in 1977

Trevor Ermel

The ‘Tyne Pride’ being built at Swan Hunter’s yard in Wallsend in 1975 – it was launched on 6th October

Trevor Ermel

Carville Road, Byker prob 1975

Trevor Ermel

Newcastle Bigg Market in 1976, with open air market stalls in the foreground

Trevor Ermel

Massive construction work for the Tyne & Wear Metro in 1977 – building the tunnel for the line through Byker

Trevor Ermel

Demolition in Byker in 1974, although I did not make a note of the street.

Trevor Ermel

The ‘Evening Chronicle’ seller in an apt sheltered spot in Byker in 1975.

Trevor Ermel

Fishing boats at North Shields fish quay in 1975

Trevor Ermel

Another view of Carville Road, this time from 1974. The car on the right seems to have the reg. 431SHN in case anyone recognises it!

Trevor Ermel

This farmer’s field near Ryton, to the west of Gateshead, had a rather dramatic background of the cooling towers of Stella North Power Station over the river in Newburn.

Trevor Ermel