Tees Transporter Bridge

{{Infobox bridge

|bridge_name = Tees Transporter Bridge

|image = River Tees Transporter Bridge 07.jpg

|caption = The bridge seen from the north bank

|official_name = Tees Transporter Bridge

|crosses = River Tees

|locale = Middlesbrough and Port Clarence, England

|preceded = Tees Newport Bridge

|followed = North Sea

|website = https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-footpaths/tees-transporter-bridge

|owner=Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Middlesbrough Council

|maint = Middlesbrough Council

|design = Transporter Bridge

|material = steel, concrete

|open = 17 October 1911

|carries = Motor vehicles
A178 road
Pedestrians

|length ={{convert|850|ft|m|abbr=on}}{{cite book |last=Dowson |first=A. G. |title=A History of the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge |year=1986 |publisher=Middlesbrough Borough Council Recreation and Amenities Department |location=Middlesbrough}}

|mainspan = {{convert|570|ft|m|abbr=on}}

|below = {{convert|160|ft|m|abbr=on}}

|traffic =

|toll = Vehicles (<3 tons): £1.50 (1 bay)

Pedestrians and Cyclists: 70p

|width =

| designer = Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Company

| contracted_designer = CG Imbault

|builder = Sir William Arrol & Co.

|coordinates={{coord|54.5845|-1.2279|region:GB-ENG|display=inline,title}}

|extra={{Designation list

| embed = yes

| designation1 = Grade II* Listed Building

| designation1_offname = Transporter Bridge

| designation1_type =

| designation1_criteria =

| designation1_date = 21 June 1985

| delisted1_date =

| designation1_partof =

| designation1_number = {{NHLE|num=1139267 |short=yes}} }}

}}

The Tees Transporter Bridge, also referred to as the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge or, locally, as The Transporter, is a bridge over the River Tees in northern England. The northern side is in Port Clarence (Stockton-on-Tees) and the southern side is in Middlesbrough. It is grade II* listed and the longest existing transporter in the world.{{NHLE|num=1139267 |desc=Transporter bridge |access-date=11 May 2022}} Its winch house and piers are grade II listed.{{National Heritage List for England |num=1139847 |desc=Winch House, Adjoining Railings, Wall, Gates and Gatepiers, C.40M South West of Transporter Bridge |access-date=18 October 2014}}{{National Heritage List for England |num=1139846 |desc=Piers, Railings and Gates at Entrance to Transporter Bridge |access-date=18 October 2014}}

It is the furthest downstream bridge crossing over the river. It is classed as the A178 road, the road between Middlesbrough and Hartlepool. {{As of|April 2025}} the bridge has not been operational since 2019 due to safety concerns, and it is not expected to return to operation for a number of years, though a report on how to do this has been published. When working, the bridge carries a travelling 'car,' or 'gondola,' suspended below the fixed structure, across the river in 90 seconds. The gondola can carry 200 people, nine cars, or six cars and one minibus.

History

{{Infobox UK legislation

| short_title = Middlesbrough Corporation (Transporter Bridge) Act 1907

| type = Act

| parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom

| long_title = An Act to authorise the mayor aldermen and burgesses of the county borough of Middlesbrough to construct a transporter bridge across the River Tees and to discontinue the Middlesbrough and Port Clarence Ferry and for other purposes.

| year = 1907

| citation = 7 Edw. 7. c. xx

| introduced_commons =

| introduced_lords =

| territorial_extent =

| royal_assent = 4 July 1907

| commencement =

| expiry_date =

| repeal_date =

| amends =

| replaces =

| amendments =

| repealing_legislation = {{ubli|Middlesbrough Corporation Act 1933}}

| related_legislation =

| status = repealed

| legislation_history =

| theyworkforyou =

| millbankhansard =

| original_text =

| revised_text =

| use_new_UK-LEG =

| UK-LEG_title =

| collapsed = yes

}}

The idea of a transporter bridge across the River Tees was first mooted in 1872 when Charles Smith, manager of the Hartlepool Iron Works, submitted a scheme to Middlesbrough Corporation. However, the scheme was not pursued, and it would not be until the new century that the idea of a transporter bridge across the river would again be revisited. Following a 1907 act of Parliament (UK), the {{visible anchor|Middlesbrough Corporation (Transporter Bridge) Act 1907}} (7 Edw. 7. c. xx), the bridge was built at a cost of £68,026 6s 8d (equivalent to £{{formatnum:{{Inflation|UK|68026|1907|{{Inflation-year|UK}}|r=-4}}}} in {{inflation-year|UK}} values),{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}} by Sir William Arrol & Co. of Glasgow between 1910 and 1911 to replace the 'Hugh Bell' and 'Erimus' steam ferry services.{{cite journal |last=Howes |first=Brian |date=May 2009 |title=Building the Past – Middlesbrough Transport Bridge |journal=Best of British |pages=73 |issn=1355-6681}} A transporter bridge was chosen because Parliament ruled that the new scheme of crossing the river had to avoid affecting the river navigation.

File:Middlesbrough transporter bridge (Wonder Book of Engineering Wonders, 1931).jpg

File:Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1061873.jpg

Construction work started in July 1909 with caissons being used to allow workers to dig down to bedrock. This turned out to be {{convert|65|ft}} below the high tide mark on the Middlesbrough side and {{convert|90|ft}} on the other.{{cite book |last=Allan |first=Dave |year=2011 |title=The Transporter 100 Years of the Tees Transporter Bridge |publisher=Middlesbrough Council |pages=48–49 |isbn=978-0860830894}} The shafts that had been dug out by this process were then filled with concrete. The formal laying of the foundation stones, made of Aberdeen granite, took place in August 1910 when they were laid by the Mayor of Middlesbrough, Thomas Gibson-Poole, and Alderman Joseph McLauchlan, the initiator of the transporter bridge scheme.{{cite book |last=Allan |first=Dave |year=2011 |title=The Transporter 100 Years of the Tees Transporter Bridge |publisher=Middlesbrough Council |page=50 |isbn=978-0860830894}} The opening ceremony on 17 October 1911 was performed by Prince Arthur of Connaught.{{cite book |last=Allan |first=Dave |year=2011 |title=The Transporter 100 Years of the Tees Transporter Bridge |publisher=Middlesbrough Council |page=3 |isbn=978-0860830894}} At its opening the bridge was painted red.{{cite book |last=Allan |first=Dave |year=2011 |title=The Transporter 100 Years of the Tees Transporter Bridge |publisher=Middlesbrough Council |page=103 |isbn=978-0860830894}}

During the First World War, Middlesbrough was bombed by an L11 Zeppelin in April 1916. During this raid it was reported that a bomb fell through the structure before hitting the river below.{{cite book |last=Allan |first=Dave |year=2011 |title=The Transporter 100 Years of the Tees Transporter Bridge |publisher=Middlesbrough Council |page=120 |isbn=978-0860830894}} During the Second World War, the superstructure of the bridge was hit by a bomb. In 1953, the gondola got stuck halfway. While it was stuck, gale force winds lashed water to within inches of it; despite this, the bridge continued to operate.

In 1961, the bridge was painted blue.

In 1974, the comedy actor Terry Scott, travelling between his hotel in Middlesbrough and a performance at the Billingham Forum, mistook the bridge for a regular toll crossing and drove his Jaguar off the end of the roadway, landing in the safety netting beneath.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-19947021 |title=Transporter Bridge celebrations end with time capsule |work=BBC News (Tees) Website |date=15 October 2012 |publisher=bbc.co.uk |access-date=22 June 2017}}

In December 1993, the bridge was awarded the Institution of Mechanical Engineers' highest honour, the Heritage Plaque, for engineering excellence, in recognition of the council's efforts in keeping the bridge in good working order. Its historical importance was also recognised in 1985 by its listing as a Grade II* Listed Building, and its prominence as a local landmark was further enhanced in 1993 by the installation of floodlights that operate during the winter months.

In July 2000, a visitor centre was opened on land previously occupied by the bridge workshop.{{cite book |last=Allan |first=Dave |year=2011 |title=The Transporter 100 Years of the Tees Transporter Bridge |publisher=Middlesbrough Council |page=111 |isbn=978-0860830894}}

In 2011, the Tees Transporter Bridge received a £2.6 million Heritage Lottery Fund award for improvement and renovation work to mark the bridge's centenary. The improvement works included the installation of a glass viewing lift to the landmark's upper walkway and renovation of the gondola.

The bridge was closed on 27 August 2013 for 40 days of repainting. It was then discovered that repairs were needed. In the same year, the Tees Transporter Bridge Anniversary Award was inaugurated as part of the Transporter Bridge's Heritage Lottery Fund-supported Visitor Experience Project in partnership with the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) and Teesside University. The inaugural award winner was Stephen Brown in autumn 2013, with Jason Dunnett receiving the accolade in autumn 2014.{{cite web |year=2017 |title=Student receives inaugural Transporter anniversary award |url=http://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/news/pressreleases_story.cfm?story_id=4466&this_issue_title=October%202013&this_issue=245 |access-date=28 January 2017 |work=Teesside University}}

File:Transporter Bridge.jpg

On 5 March 2015, the Royal Mail issued a set of 10 First Class commemorative postage stamps featuring iconic British bridges including the Tees Transporter Bridge. The bridge was re-opened for traffic on 6 April 2015, but improvement work continued with the bridge still in daily use. These were completed in September 2015 after more than £4 million had been spent on the structure.{{cite news |date=9 March 2015 |title=Tees Transporter Bridge reopens |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-31787804 |access-date=15 October 2018}}{{cite web |title=Engineering Timelines – Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge |url=http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=6 |access-date=15 October 2018 |website=engineering-timelines.com}}

In August 2019, the bridge was temporarily closed due to safety concerns.{{cite web |date=19 May 2016 |title=Tees Transporter Bridge |url=https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-footpaths/tees-transporter-bridge |access-date=24 February 2021 |website=middlesbrough.gov.uk}}

It is thought that repairs could cost up to £7 million and {{As of|2024|lc=y}} it remains closed with its future under discussion.{{cite web |title=Future of the Transporter Bridge to be discussed |url=https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/news/future-transporter-bridge-be-discussed |website=middlesbrough.gov.uk |access-date=14 April 2022 |date=9 December 2020}}{{cite web |last=Metcalfe |first=Alex |title='It's not a relic': Leaders agree Transporter Bridge should reopen |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/its-not-just-relic-past-19434376 |website=TeessideLive |access-date=14 April 2022 |date=10 December 2020}}{{cite web |title=Historic Transporter Bridge structural problems 'much worse than advised' |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/20605567.middlesbrough-transporter-bridge-hit-structural-problems/ |access-date=8 August 2022 |website=The Northern Echo|date=6 August 2022 }}

Local culture

File:Transporter Bridge, 2010 Teeside Running Day.jpg

Locally, the bridge is often referred to simply as 'the Transporter'. The bridge hosts an annual vintage bus running day, organised by The 500 Group.[http://www.500group.org.uk/ The 500 Group] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403100213/http://www.500group.org.uk/|date=3 April 2007}} On this one day per year, usually a Sunday in April, vintage buses take people on free rides around Teesside. As part of the 2006 and 2007 events, the bridge made a special trip carrying a former Teesside Municipal Transport Daimler Fleetline, the first time a double-decker bus had used the bridge in 30 years.{{cite web |date=27 April 2007 |title=Our annual Teesside Running Day |url=http://www.communigate.co.uk/ne/the500group/page3.phtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124161126/http://www.communigate.co.uk/ne/the500group/page3.phtml |archive-date=24 January 2008 |access-date=19 January 2008}}

It has been featured in films and TV programmes including Boys from the Blackstuff, Billy Elliot, The Fast Show, Spender, Vera, and Steel River Blues. During the millennium celebrations of 2000, fireworks were fired from its length. The storyline of the third series of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet saw the bridge dismantled to be sold to and re-erected in the United States. The local council received calls from people worried that the bridge was really being pulled down,{{cite web |date=13 May 2002 |title=Bridge not under threat, pet |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1985075.stm |access-date=20 January 2009 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC}} with the BBC adding a disclaimer on the end of the final episode of the series stating that 'The Transporter Bridge is still in Middlesbrough'.

References

Anon. (1911) "The transporter bridge over the River Tees", The Engineer, 112 (September)
Fernández Troyano, Leonardo (2003) Bridge engineering : a global perspective [Tierra sobre el agua], London : Thomas Telford, {{ISBN|0-7277-3215-3}}
Prade, Marcel (1988) Ponts et viaducs au XIXe siècle, Poitiers (France) : Brissaud, {{ISBN|2-902170-59-9}}
Prade, Marcel (1990) Les grands ponts du monde: Ponts remarquables d'Europe, Poitiers (France) : Brissaud, {{ISBN|2-902170-65-3}}
Woodhouse, Robert (2009) Tees Valley Curiosities, Stroud, Gloucestershire : The History Press, {{ISBN|978-0-7509-5077-0}}

External links

[https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-footpaths/tees-transporter-bridge Middlesbrough Council official Transporter Bridge page]
[https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-footpaths/tees-transporter-bridge/friends-transporter-bridge-and-volunteering Middlesbrough Council – Transporter Bridge friends and volunteers]
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/articles/2007/08/09/360_transporter_bridge_feature.shtml The Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge at BBC Tees]
{{Structurae|id=20002354|title=Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge}}

{{navboxes

|list1=

{{Crossings navbox

|structure = Crossings

|place = River Tees

|bridge = Tees Transporter Bridge

|upstream = Tees Newport Bridge
(Newport Bridge)

|downstream = North Sea

}}

Category:Transporter bridges

Category:Bridges in County Durham

Category:Bridges in North Yorkshire