Problems with bridge worse than thought
STRUCTURAL problems which have dogged the landmark Transporter Bridge are much worse than previously thought, according to Middlesbrough mayor Andy Preston.
The bridge was labelled a “death trap” after a report in 2020 found more than £3m of repairs and maintenance would be required at the iconic structure in the next decade. Efforts to find money to restore a passenger service at the bridge have continued.
But now Mr Preston has said the problems facing the Edwardian landmark are “much worse than we were originally advised” - and warned saving it would take time and money.
The mayor added: “One of the legs is actually sinking - which is damaging the steel framework - so more surveys are needed to find out the full extent of the required repair work.
“I’m absolutely committed to not only protecting our landmark but bringing it back into use - but it’s going to take much longer and it’s going to cost much more than we all hoped.
“I don’t know whether that’s going to be £15m, £20m or even £25m.
“But I promise to keep everyone updated as we move forward.”
Leaders agreed to put £655,000 towards the bridge in late 2020 for urgent repairs.
The bridge hasn’t been in operation since August 2019.
A whistleblowing report that year uncovered fears the iconic bridge was in a “dangerous state” - with concerns that wheels, ropes and anchor points were “substantially out of date”.
A damning probe found “passive and ineffective” management dogged the 111-year-old bridge with councillors also hearing how a worker narrowly avoided being killed by a falling piece of the structure in 2018.
Two options were considered for the future of the 223ft structure.
One idea was to convert it into a leisure attraction, with or without its gondola, with costs estimated at £4.8m-£6m in the next decade.
The second more expensive option was to see the Transporter carry passengers at peak times with extra repairs to running rails, support cables and metalwork.
This was estimated at between £5.3m and £7.4m. However, these sums were calculated before this year’s rapid inflation in material costs.
There was public outcry and cross party calls for the bridge to continue carrying passengers after its troubles emerged.
In response, Middlesbrough and Stockton leaders decided to look to restore the bridge back to being “fully operational” subject to securing enough cash.
An independent taskforce was set up last year to try to steer the bridge’s future - with officials and staff from Middlesbrough Council, Stockton Council, the Tees Valley Combined Authority and heritage experts.
Middlesbrough and Stockton Council have shared responsibility for the Transporter. Both councils have been contacted for comment following the mayor’s comments.