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'It's not a relic': Leaders agree Transporter Bridge should reopen
The 109-year-old bridge has been closed since August 2019 due to serious safety concerns and would cost £7m to fully reopen
www.gazettelive.co.uk
'It's not a relic': Leaders agree Transporter Bridge should reopen
The 109-year-old bridge has been closed since August 2019 due to serious safety concerns and would cost £7m to fully reopen
www.gazettelive.co.uk
'It's not just a relic of our past': Leaders agree that council should reopen Transporter Bridge
[Edited]A host of Teesside politicians have lined up to call for the Transporter Bridge to keep carrying passengers after £7m costs to repair the beleaguered structure were revealed.
The 109-year-old bridge has been closed since August 2019 due to serious safety concerns.
Middlesbrough Council is mulling over options for its future - including a £4m plan to retire the bridge from carrying traffic by converting it into a visitor attraction over the next decade.
Now Conservative Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has urged leaders to keep the Transporter working after branding the alternative plan “terrible”.
Mr Houchen said: “It shouldn’t just be regarded as a relic of our past destined only to be seen moving in ageing video footage.
“The Transporter Bridge has been an important crossing over the Tees for more than 100 years and should remain so now and into the future.
“While it has been out of use, many people based in Hartlepool, Port Clarence and other areas north of the Tees have been greatly frustrated by the lack of transport across the river.
“We must maintain that connection.”
Council leaders are set to put an extra £655,000 towards urgent repairs on the Transporter this month before a consultation is launched on whether it should open again.
Officials say the full cost of reopening the bridge to traffic at rush hour could come to more than £7m in the next decade.
But Middlesbrough’s deputy mayor Antony High has voiced his own doubts about turning the Transporter into a visitor attraction.
Cllr High said: “I know a decision has not yet been made but I will make a promise to the people of Middlesbrough to do my best to keep our pride and joy in action.
“While it is obvious that the bridge is now nearing 110 years old and is well past its best, I don’t believe that should be the reason for us to stand back and watch it finally come to a devastating stand still.
“The Transporter Bridge is our town’s iconic beacon of pride - and while there is still a glimmer of hope that it can continue to serve the people of Middlesbrough, and wider Teesside, I will keep pushing for an outcome that keeps it in action.”
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It needs to be restored to full working order for the benefit of those who used it daily - both by foot and in vehicles, up until August last year. But, is it priority given that 7M could be better targeted at essential care services during these unusual times?
Perhaps the cost of restoration should involve the whole of Tees Valley - to contribute financially? Its not just Middlesbrough`s responsibility. If Tees Viaduct was in need of restoration the people of Middlesbrough would not be expected to pay for it