It’s been a long time coming but today the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge has reopened to the public.
The landmark, which has undergone £4m renovations, is back in action for drivers and foot passengers - and for the next four weeks, crossings will be free of charge.
The bridge - which celebrated its 100th birthday in October 2011 - has been closed since August 2013 to overhaul and upgrade the bridge and install a new glass viewing lift and visitor centre.
Reopening today with a new glass-walled gondola which offers panoramic views of the Tees, crossing on the Transporter is better than ever.
The closure was originally planned as an eight-month closure but during the initial closure period, additional preparation work was identified.
And the Gazette reported previously how the costs for the project had spiralled from a planned £3.1m to £4m.
The Heritage Lottery Fund provided £2.6m for the renovations and the council says the shortfall of £897,580 is proposed to be covered from the unallocated Local Transport Plan grant.
Work stalled again over the Christmas period after subcontractors SBV Fabrications went into administration.
Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “It has been a long time. Our original estimates didn’t take into account the actual repairs that were required.
“We originally estimated there would be around 10 areas of concern but, on inspection, it was revealed that there were actually 58 that needed attention.
“But the Transporter is such a large part of Teesside’s heritage, if we want to keep the Transporter open we’ve got to pay what it costs and we might need to put some money aside to keep it up to standard - I think it’s worth it.
“I would also like to thank the people of Teesside for their patience and understanding during the works. The four weeks of free travel is a way of saying thank you.”
Among the first passengers to make the Tees crossing on the new gondola was Cynthia Frank.
Peter Reimann 
Cynthia Frank
The 74-year-old from Acklam said: “I felt I had to come down - ever since I was little I’ve used the Transporter to cross the Tees then we’d run for the bus to Seaton Carew.
“I’m glad to see it back working and open to the public.”
After the four-week free travel period, the cost of crossing the Bridge will be 60p each way for pedestrians and cyclists, with a journey costing £1.30 each way for single-bay motor vehicles.
Following the renovation of the gondola, Middlesbrough Council has said that work will continue on the completion of the new lift and visitor centre.
Tosh Warwick, bridge education, learning and events officer said: “We’re looking forward to opening the visitor centre to the public.
“There’s going to be an iPad tour that will give people information about the brige when they come to the visitor centre.
“And we’ve been working with Middlesbrough College to create some video games based around the bridge. One of them is a sort of Space Invaders game that uses the gondola to shoot the alien invaders with.”
Earlier this month, the Transporter Bridge was recognised as a national landmark when it was depicted in a series of 1st class stamps issued by Royal Mail.
The Transporter Bridge will be operating new opening hours of 7.15am-noon and 1pm-6.15pm Monday to Friday and 1pm to 3pm on Saturday.
No comments:
Post a Comment