Coastal town at the mouth of the Tyne, part of Tyne and Wear since 1974.
The Port of Tyne collision on 19 July has released billions of nurdles into the North Sea region. A wind‑assisted collision damaged BG Orange and a gantry crane, sparking a massive volunteer clean‑up while authorities face scrutiny over response times and accountability. Environmental groups warn that nurdles could persist for decades and enter the food chain.