Transporter Bridge 'cannot go to rack and ruin', public say

Opened in 1911, the structure is intertwined with the memories of generations, whether it is youngsters visiting with their grandparents or workers travelling across on their daily commute.

But despite it being held fondly in the hearts of many people across the region for the last 115 years, its future still remains uncertain. 

This month marks seven years since it closed due to safety concerns and questions still remain, with engineers now monitoring the bridge to influence proposals for its future. 

Should it be turned into a static landmark? Should it be brought back into full working order regardless of cost? Or should it be pulled down? 

We put all these opinions to the public in Middlesbrough town centre last month, and found a mixture of responses.

The Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Many believe it should be retained - and while some would love the gondola to work once again, others think the millions of pounds it would take would be better elsewhere.

“It is a remarkable feat of engineering”, Reverend Peter Simpson, who is from Buckinghamshire but moved to the town around a year ago, said. 

Reverend Peter Simpson (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“It is a landmark and it is part of our industrial heritage. It is amazing how it stands out from miles away. I live off Cargo Fleet Lane and I can see it there.”

The 72-year-old added: “It is an important landmark - if you had to put down one iconic symbol of Middlesbrough what would it be? 

“From an engineering point of view it is remarkable in its own right. But you can’t pour millions and millions into it, it is a bottomless pit.” 

‘I don’t want it to go to rack and ruin’

Barry Davies, 76, said he thought the bridge should be back moving once again: “People want to go over that way. It is tied with the town, the same as the Newport Bridge. 

The grandad added: “All of the older generation are passionate about it. It is part of the heritage of the area. But younger people aren’t as bothered.” 

The Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Emma Metcalfe, who works for chemical company Sabic at its North Tees Works site, agreed, saying it would benefit her for the bridge to work once again. 

The 50-year-old explained: “It is iconic for the North East.

"The costs will be a thing and that will and that will be what it all comes down to. I would rather them put an extra £5 onto our council tax and use it for the bridge. 

“I don’t want it to go to rack and ruin.”

Chloe Perkins, 22, agreed, saying the council should “try and keep it running”. 

The Middlesbrough woman said: “It is what makes Middlesbrough Middlesbrough. I think it is iconic. When you went on it as a kid you would remember it.”

Grandmother-of-two Jean Jones also wanted to see it brought back into working order: "I used to always take the little ones. It belongs here and it should be working. 

“It should be brought back into working order, and I think they should spend whatever it takes."

The 67-year-old added: “I would like to take my grandkids over it, I have been and shown them it, but it is not the same.” 

Michael Di Giorgio, who is originally from Puglia, Italy, but has lived in Middlesbrough since the late 1950s, remembers walking over it as a young man - and wants it to be fully restored.

Michael Di Giorgio (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“It was in the 1960s - it only cost a penny”, he said. “It is history for Middlesbrough and it is a landmark."

The 72-year-old, who now lives in Berwick Hills, added: “It definitely should be brought back moving again, but it is all about where they get the money from. 

“It is sad that it is closed, kids used to love going on it to go to Seaton Carew.” 

Others are happy if it is just repaired and kept as a static landmark.

Lee David, 70, said: “I love it as it is. It has served its purpose over the years, I see it as a symbol of the area.

“I don't think there should be lots of money put into it, I think it could be used on other things in the area. Some of the shops [in the town centre] are run down for starters.” 

The grandad-of-eight added: “My mother and father were from Canon Street and they thought the same as me, that it should be kept as a landmark. It should be saved.”

‘Who is going to use the Transporter?’ 

But not everyone agrees on spending millions simply to fix the gondola.

One 23-year-old, who wished to remain nameless, said he “didn’t see the point” in spending millions on bringing the bridge back into working order. 

The Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

The Ingleby Barwick man said: “I think they should use the money to fund real community challenges instead. 

“Who is going to use the Transporter when there is the flyover now? I think they can keep it as a tourist attraction but there is no point spending money.

“They may as well use it to regenerate the town centre. I wouldn’t go to it unless there was a café there maybe, or something to make you go there, like a restaurant.”

Valerie Hill, from Linthorpe, also argued that the council needs to find out whether the gondola - if brought back into full working order - would be used by visitors. 

The 83-year-old, who has lived in the town for 30 years, said: "When I was a little bit younger, I could go from the nature reserve down to the bridge, it was great.  

“I think you would have to do an exercise on who would use it otherwise it would be a lost cause. 

“I think there would be a possibility [of it working] if someone could think of something to go somewhere, maybe a café or something. 

Valerie Hill (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“But I am not in charge of the finances so I haven't a clue.” 

Since the bridge closed in 2019, engineers have been monitoring the structure and carrying out inspections to inform the design of a long-term solution.

The two key key options are a full repair and return to full working order or the bridge being repaired and kept as a static landmark.

But either solution will come down to finding the funding.

The full cost of bringing the bridge back into full working use remains unknown at this stage, but a report in 2024 suggested repairs could cost £67m.

Regardless of cost, the council said the Transporter remains a “main priority” and is “fully committed to its preservation and restoration”.

A spokesperson said it actively manages the upkeep of the bridge and is "fully committed" to its preservation and restoration "as clearly evidenced by the work undertaken to date".