Tees Transporter - Your Views Needed

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fmttmadmin

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An independent Transporter Taskforce has been set up to explore options for the future of the Tees Transporter Bridge, one of the great symbols of the Tees Valley's industrial heritage. There will be a particular focus on how the bridge can be central to the area's culture, education, leisure and tourism.
Let us know what you think about the culture, leisure, education, and heritage options for the future of the bridge. After the engagement exercise, we'll review all ideas and feedback, and make recommendations to Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston and Bob Cook, Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, which reflect public opinion.
You need to submit your views below -

Tees Transporter Bridge Taskforce | Middlesbrough Council

Let's talk about the Transporter Bridge.
www.middlesbrough.gov.uk www.middlesbrough.gov.uk
 
Yes the town has moved a long way from the River in the past 150 years. But remember the Tees was and is still very much a working river - and there are lots of yards and complexes on both banks of the river. It is still a bustling port around the Transporter.
But people have been going back to the Tees in big numbers during lockdown. The Ironmasters Trail and particularly Teessaurus Park are really popular now with families.
 
If its breaking down more than its open, could it be changed into a fixed bridge, so its outline in preserved but it is able to take cars with some central supports or alternatively closed but kept as a architectial symbol with a fixed carriage part of the way across the river.

I would guess the river is no longer used by shipping where the transporter is.
 
Lighting the thing up properly would be a start! Unless there's a reason why they are like that at the moment, them spot lights currently used look ridiculous. From a distance it looks even worse. Lighting it up as soon as it gets dark, all year round, would also help.
 
With the river still in use it cannot be replaced with a permanent fixture. Hopefully the regeneration of 'Over the Border' takes pace the use of the Tranny will be in more demand, it's a pity it's a bridge to nowhere really. I would love to see the riverside being used again or at least the unused docks for some sort of water sports. I digress but hopefully we can make use of that part of the 'Steel River'
 
Iconic structure that it the symbol of Teesside to me.

It should absolutely be fixed and maintained, if possible.

Been well over a decade since I last rode across on it, it's always broken down, my partner has never been on it.
I'd like to go again.
 
TeaCider said:
Iconic structure that it the symbol of Teesside to me.

It should absolutely be fixed and maintained, if possible.

Been well over a decade since I last rode across on it, it's always broken down, my partner has never been on it.
I'd like to go again.
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Have had a few visitors from down south over the years and all expressed a wish to travel across it.
 
NoMushroom said:
The idea of our icon being 'broke' or 'not working' - basically says to the world that Teesside is broke and no longer working

It 100% needs to be a working bridge
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Purely by coincidence I’m just looking at a place mat with a Joe Cornish night-time photo of it lit-up looking lovely. It’s got to have some investment to keep it’s Teesside United symbolism as well as being put back to use. The only problem I always envisage is the weather.....yes I mean recreating bistros and Pizza parlours with outdoor seating and piazzas and European style rebuilding round there, over the Border, is all very well but every time I’ve been it’s blooming freezing, sez he politely. Nevertheless it’s got to stay
 
Maybe an enclosed glass structure could be built to support an eating and drinking area from the elements and some sort of heritage exhibition to show how the town of Middlesbrough developed and what activites went on along the river and the Dock a 100 years ago and what activities are planned for the future?

The Dorman Museum does something but its 30 years? old now and I don't think it does full justice to haw quickly the Town developed and what was special about this place in the mid Victorian period - a melting pot of 50,000? immigrants working among hundreds of furnaces on land that was farm and marsh land 20 years earlier. Also include South Bank, Cargo Fleet and Grangetown in it there are some fascinating tales to be told by the poor and the rich. I went to Blaenavon Works a couple of years ago and the Welsh Heritage Agency (Cadw) have done a lot with that small site/town that was only 10% of what the Middlesbrough area has. We built the World, but to many people little is known.
 
Redwurzel said:
If its breaking down more than its open, could it be changed into a fixed bridge, so its outline in preserved but it is able to take cars with some central supports or alternatively closed but kept as a architectial symbol with a fixed carriage part of the way across the river.

I would guess the river is no longer used by shipping where the transporter is.
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It is used by shipping. A lot.
 
One of the main options would be for the Transporter to become a heritage, working museum. But even for that a lot of money needs to be found. Millions in fact.
But it isnt a bridge to nowhere (unlike Newport Transporter) if it worked tomorrow it would be carrying cars over all day long and they would be paying to use it.
 
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