THE massive crane which lifted the Gateshead Millennium Bridge into place started its long, slow journey back to Holland yesterday.
The 850-tonne Asian Hercules, one of the world's largest floating cranes, became as big a crowd-puller as the bridge it brought to the Gateshead Quays earlier this week.
The crane's next destination is Wallsend, where it will deposit a 150-tonne strut, removed from the bridge on Wednesday. The strut will be used later this year, at the new Commonwealth Games stadium in Manchester. The Asian Hercules II will be rigged for sea travel, and may return to Rotterdam later today, weather permitting.
Internet users can see the bridge on its own, by logging on to the Tyne Bridge webcams at www.gateshead-quays.com or www.tynebridgewebcam. com.
The sites have had about 600,000 hits since they were launched.
They include 100,000 hits on Monday, when the bridge arrived
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article