Take bridge to the hills

I READ in The Gazette that the Transporter Bridge has probably carried its last passengers as it’s too costly to run and it is sinking.

Don’t let the scrap man have it – think outside of the box and save it for prosperity for future generations. Dismantle it, designate a piece of land on top of the Eston hills, rebuild it and surround it with a solar panel farm and a windmill for when the sun doesn’t shine.

Tap the excess into the Wilton site, floodlight it with a string of large letters saying ‘DORMAN LONG TEESSIDE’ where the gondola should be so it can be easily seen from the A19, A172, A66 and all other vantage points on Teesside.

Leave a legacy to the men and women who built the steel industry here.

I have been over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Sidney Harbour Bridge and read the plaques with Dorman Long etched on them.

Let’s leave a lasting heritage for our grandchildren’s grandchildren.

So come Mayors Ben Houchen Andy Preston and all the MPs and councils – get together, raise the money and make it happen.

Don’t let a good thing die.

ALLAN PARSONS, Redcar

Bikers have long been a problem

THE Gazette front page headline (9.8.22) ‘Bikers cause mayhem’ and the alarming pictures will send shockwaves amongst many Teesside residents.

What is very sad is these illegal off-road vehicles have been terrorising the urban areas and the estates for many years.

Many residents will be able to provide anecdotal evidence of incidents that have involved them. I recall about three years ago walking with my grandchild to an after-school event when one of these illegal off-road vehicles sped close by us on a public footpath.

Of course reporting this and similar incidents to the police can be tiresome when nothing appears to happen, as these incidents continually recur.

The police can always provide reasons as to why it is difficult to apprehend these dangerous offenders, but the safety of the public is their number one priority so some high visibility action would be much appreciated by the public before serious injury or worse happens to the good people of Teesside and North Yorkshire.

GEORGE R DUNNING, Ormesby

Event launches this year’s Poppy appeal

ON September 17, I am organising the launch of the 2022 Poppy Appeal. The event will take place at the RAOB Club – The British Legion Headquarters, 51 Wilton Street, Middlesbrough.

Tickets are £1 and will be available from the Club, Middlesbrough Sea Cadets and myself. There will be music, a raffle and tombola and all proceeds will go to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, which last year raised £41,805.18.

Thank you once again to all those people who donated last year and a special thank you to the volunteers who dropped off and collected poppies, helped on the stalls in Cleveland Centre, Hill Street Centre and Coulby Newham and the counters who helped to bank this fantastic amount.

LIZ CHAMBERS MBE, Honorary Poppy Appeal

Organiser, Ormesby