Changes afoot for Newcastle’s most famous landmark?

The world-renowned Tyne Bridge could be on the verge of a radical change of appearance if reports are to be believed.   Due to a 500% increase in the cost of the green paint permanently linked with this most iconic of bridges, plans are being rapidly put in place to permanently change the colour once the current paint reaches the end of its life-cycle, estimated as April 1^st 2017.   Prices are equally prohibitive on many of the other major colours with the exception of red, and as such, the people responsible for the upkeep of the bridge are on the verge of signing a long-term deal to guarantee the price of the red paint they require for at least 15 years.   A hastily organised survey in January found red lagging in popularity behind green, black, white, and blue due to the colour’s association with local rivals Sunderland, but according to a source ‘red is our only option, the other colours simply can’t fit in our budget’.   Apparently the reason for the shortfall in available paint, and the huge increase in price, is a worldwide shortage of the pigment required for the green paint due to over-logging in the rainforests of Brazil. Changes in the eco-system have led to a huge shortage and apparently have many other world-famous sights considering similarly drastic action. Sydney Harbour Bridge is rumoured to be considering a switch to gold to replicate the Australian flag, whilst Manhattan Bridge in New York is thought to be debating the merits of beige.   The change in colour had been kept under wraps for fear of causing outrage amongst the local population but restrictions on reporting the news were lifted as of Midnight on April 1^st, leaving us free to break the story. Local officials are rumoured to be signing the contract for the change at Midday barring any last-minute change of heart, however it seems that in the age of austerity, nothing is sacred, even the most famous bridge across the Big River.   Let the relevant authorities know how you feel by clicking here, http://bit.ly/TyneBridge