Toll Road from Newcastle to North Shields and Tynemouth. The end point in Tynemouth is unclear but appears to be around NZ 3648 6903, close to Tynemouth Turnpike Toll House, (HER 2047) which lay on this road as did the Percy Main Turnpike.(HER 2011), near the junction with another road into North Shields (HER 2012) and Hawkey's Lane T.P.(HER 2008) {1}. Shields Road in Byker was one section of the Newcastle to North Shields Turnpike. Although no date for its opening is available, it seems likely to have been quite early - by 1776. It was a very important route until it was superseded by the Newcastle to Shields Railway in 1839. One Toll House was situated at the bottom of Byker Bank and another possibly on Shields Road {3}.

Willington Viaduct, on the North Eastern Railway, Tynemouth Branch, (SMR 1186). Completed for the Newcastle and North Shields Railway in 1839, by John and Benjamin Green of Newcastle. The viaduct was unusual in being of laminated timber arch construction to the Wiebeking System. It has seven spans of up to 128 ft to the centres, the track height is 82 ft above the foundations. The original arches consisted of 14 layers of timber 22" x 3.5" held by trenails, the viaduct being built by Messrs Robson. The timber arches were replaced with iron in 1869, the contractors being the Weardale Iron and Coal Company.

The 1st edition OS mapping shows boilers and a reservoir within the site. Willington Colliery was opened in 1806 by Messrs Bell & Co. The colliery contributed to the running costs of the Friar's Goose Engine in Gateshead which pumped water out of the workings on either side of the Tyne (see HER 1012). Drawn by Thomas Hair in 1844. There were several other associated pits - Edward Pit (HER 1165), High Pit, Millbank Pit (HER 1170), Richard Pit (HER 281 690) and Venture Pit.

Wagonway, branches from Killingworth Wagonway at NZ 3087 6644. The southern limit is unclear from the 1st edition 6" OS mapping.

Wagonway, from North Eastern Railway Tynemouth Branch, (SMR 1186) to Wallsend Iron Works, (SMR 2098).

North Eastern Railway, Tynemouth Branch. After two unsuccessful proposals caused by opposition from rivermen and coach owners, an Act of Parliament in June 1836 gave consent for a railway line between Newcastle (Pilgrim Street) and North Shields. Built by Robert Nicholson it cost £160,000 and included Ouseburn Viaduct, a 103 yard tunnel near Pilgrim Street, an 80ft embankment at Pandon Dene and a three quarters of a mile cutting at Heaton. And the Willington Dene Bridge. The opening ceremony was on 22 June 1839. The journey from the temporary Carliol Square Terminus was in open coaches pulled by the first two engines of the Newcastle and North Tyneside Railway - "Wellington" and "Hotspur". Eleven years later both the York, Newcastle and Berwick Railway and the Newcastle and North Tyneside Railway transferred to Newcastle Central Station, so the Pilgrim Street terminus was never built. In 1846 the YN & BR absorbed the N & NTR and in 1854 became the North Eastern Railway. The Newcastle to North Shields line included Howdon Station and Willington Viaduct, (SMR 1175, 1190). The line reached North Shields and Tynemouth in 1847. In 1847 as part of the Newcastle & Berwick Railway it was extended to the terminus at Oxford Road, Tynemouth (SMR 2046). In 1904 this line became the first in the country to operate electric trains. The 15 minute service only initially went from New Bridge Street to Benton Station, but later that year it covered the whole 20 mile loop to Tynemouth.

Viaduct, carried Willington Wagonway (SMR 1164) over Willington Dean. Built around 1820 when the Wagonway was laid, this was a timber structure on stone pillars.

Wallsend Viaduct, carries Killingworth Wagonway (SMR 1083) over Wallsend Burn.

Wallsend Turnpike with what appears to be a Toll Gate on 1st edition OS mapping.

Wallsend Colliery, G or Church Pit. Opened in 1802. William Russell opened the colliery. Subsequent owners were Losh, Wilson and Bell & Co, then Wallsend and Hebburn Coal Company. By 1831 the High Main Seam was worked out. Wallsend was working the gassy Bensham Seam when G Pit exploded at 2pm on 18 June 1835. George Johnson, viewer at Willington, had been passing by in his carriage and he took charge of the rescue. 4 survivors, 3 men and 1 boy were found at the shaft bottom. Two were delirious, one needed a leg amputated and another was badly burnt. 101 miners and 11 horses were killed. The inquest was opened at John Buddle's office, but was moved to the larger Wesleyan schoolhouse. John Buddle, underviewer and viewer at Wallsend Colliery for 43 years, told the jury that there were 3 downcast shafts and two upcast at Wallsend. The Bensham Seam was more difficult to work than the High Main. Two small water cannons were kept at the mine to extinguish gas fires. Small fires were put out with men's jackets. Davy lamps had to be used but there was an implication that miners might be tempted to use candles which provided better light, to avoid fines for having stone mixed in with the coal. Miners lit their pipes from their lamps. They weren't allowed to smoke during pillar extractions. The conduct at the inquest of presiding coroner Stephen Reed was criticised at the time and for years afterwards. He told the jury that the accident might have been caused by the miners themselves by means 'which defy the utmost stretch of human ingenuity to explain'. The owners did not have to pay compensation. A memorial was erected to the dead in 1994. On 19th December 1838 an explosion killed 11 men. Ventilation had been improved, but not enough. The colliery was still in the ownership of William Russell & Co and under the command of John Buddle. The ignition happened in the Bensham Seam again. Alarm came from the A Pit a mile away, when foul air affected the furnace flames. The inquest was held on 2nd December at the Coach & Horses in Wallsend. In 1863 two pumping engines were placed at G Pit to drain and work Hebburn Colliery. H Shaft was sank next to G. In 1892 the Wallsend and Hebburn Coal Co. turned the H Shaft into its main pumping station and reopened Wallsend Colliery. G Pit was reopened. Rubbish which had been thrown in when it closed had to be removed by sinkers sent down on safety chains. The G Pit shaft was still open in the 1950s and could be reached by foot underground from the Rising Sun Pit. The wooden headgear of the G Pit stood for many years in the yard of Victor Products Ltd, a mining electrical factory.