Editing Tees Transporter Bridge

{{Short description|Bridge over the River Tees, England}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox bridge
|bridge_name = Tees Transporter Bridge
|image = River Tees Transporter Bridge 07.jpg
|caption = The bridge seen from the north bank
|official_name = Tees Transporter Bridge
|crosses = [[River Tees]]
|locale = [[Middlesbrough]] and [[Port Clarence]], England
|preceded = [[Tees Newport Bridge]]
|followed = [[North Sea]]
|website = https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-footpaths/tees-transporter-bridge
|owner=[[Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council]] and [[Middlesbrough Council]]
|maint = [[Middlesbrough Council]]
|design = [[Transporter bridge|Transporter Bridge]]
|material = steel, concrete
|open = 17 October 1911
|carries = Motor vehicles<br/>''[[A178 road]]''<br/>Pedestrians
|length ={{convert|850|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="Dowson">{{cite book |last=Dowson |first=A. G. |title=A History of the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge |year=1986 |publisher=Middlesbrough Borough Council Recreation and Amenities Department |location=Middlesbrough}}</ref>
|mainspan = {{convert|570|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="Dowson" />
|below = {{convert|160|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="Dowson" />
|traffic =
|toll = Vehicles (<3 tons): £1.50 (1 bay) <br/>
 Pedestrians and Cyclists: 70p
|width =
| designer = [[Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Company]]
| contracted_designer = CG Imbault
|builder = [[Sir William Arrol & Co.]]
|coordinates={{coord|54.5845|-1.2279|region:GB-ENG|display=inline,title}}
|extra={{Designation list
 | embed = yes
 | designation1 = Grade II* Listed Building
 | designation1_offname = Transporter Bridge
 | designation1_type = 
 | designation1_criteria =
 | designation1_date = 21 June 1985
 | delisted1_date = 
 | designation1_partof =
 | designation1_number = {{NHLE|num=1139267 |short=yes}} }}
}}
The '''Tees Transporter Bridge''', also referred to as the '''Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge''' or, locally, as '''The Transporter''', is a bridge over the [[River Tees]] in [[northern England]]. The northern side is in [[Port Clarence]] ([[Stockton-on-Tees]]) and the southern side is in [[Middlesbrough]]. It is grade II* [[Listed building|listed]] and the longest existing [[transporter bridge|transporter]] in the world.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1139267 |desc=Transporter bridge |access-date=11 May 2022}}</ref> Its winch house and piers are grade II listed.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England |num=1139847 |desc=Winch House, Adjoining Railings, Wall, Gates and Gatepiers, C.40M South West of Transporter Bridge |access-date=18 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{National Heritage List for England |num=1139846 |desc=Piers, Railings and Gates at Entrance to Transporter Bridge |access-date=18 October 2014}}</ref>

It is the furthest downstream bridge crossing over the river. It is classed as the [[A178 road]], the road between Middlesbrough and [[Hartlepool]]. {{As of|April 2025}} the bridge has not been operational since 2019 due to safety concerns, and it is not expected to return to operation for a number of years, though a report on how to do this has been published. When working, the bridge carries a travelling 'car,' or 'gondola,' suspended below the fixed structure, across the river in 90 seconds. The gondola can carry 200 people, nine cars, or six cars and one minibus.

== History ==
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = Middlesbrough Corporation (Transporter Bridge) Act 1907
| type                  = Act
| parliament            = Parliament of the United Kingdom
| long_title            = An Act to authorise the mayor aldermen and burgesses of the county borough of Middlesbrough to construct a transporter bridge across the River Tees and to discontinue the Middlesbrough and Port Clarence Ferry and for other purposes.
| year                  = 1907
| citation              = [[7 Edw. 7]]. c. xx
| introduced_commons    = 
| introduced_lords      = 
| territorial_extent    = 
| royal_assent          = 4 July 1907
| commencement          = 
| expiry_date           = 
| repeal_date           = 
| amends                = 
| replaces              = 
| amendments            = 
| repealing_legislation = {{ubli|[[Middlesbrough Corporation Act 1933]]}}
| related_legislation   = 
| status                = repealed
| legislation_history   = 
| theyworkforyou        = 
| millbankhansard       = 
| original_text         = 
| revised_text          = 
| use_new_UK-LEG        = 
| UK-LEG_title          = 
| collapsed             = yes
}}
The idea of a transporter bridge across the River Tees was first mooted in 1872 when Charles Smith, manager of the Hartlepool Iron Works, submitted a scheme to Middlesbrough Corporation. However, the scheme was not pursued, and it would not be until the new century that the idea of a transporter bridge across the river would again be revisited. Following a 1907 [[act of Parliament (UK)]], the '''{{visible anchor|Middlesbrough Corporation (Transporter Bridge) Act 1907}}''' ([[7 Edw. 7]]. c. xx), the bridge was built at a cost of [[Pound sterling|£]]68,026&nbsp;6[[Shilling (British coin)|s]]&nbsp;8[[Penny (British pre-decimal coin)|d]] (equivalent to £{{formatnum:{{Inflation|UK|68026|1907|{{Inflation-year|UK}}|r=-4}}}} in {{inflation-year|UK}} values),{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}} by [[Sir William Arrol & Co.]] of Glasgow between 1910 and 1911 to replace the 'Hugh Bell' and 'Erimus' steam [[ferry]] services.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Howes |first=Brian |date=May 2009 |title=Building the Past – Middlesbrough Transport Bridge |journal=Best of British |pages=73 |issn=1355-6681}}</ref> A transporter bridge was chosen because Parliament ruled that the new scheme of crossing the river had to avoid affecting the river navigation. 

[[File:Middlesbrough transporter bridge (Wonder Book of Engineering Wonders, 1931).jpg|thumbnail|The gondola {{circa|1911}}]]
[[File:Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1061873.jpg|thumb|The gondola {{circa|2008}}]]

Construction work started in July 1909 with [[caisson (engineering)|caissons]] being used to allow workers to dig down to bedrock.<ref name=allan48 /> This turned out to be {{convert|65|ft}} below the high tide mark on the Middlesbrough side and {{convert|90|ft}} on the other.<ref name=allan48>{{cite book |last=Allan |first=Dave |year=2011 |title=The Transporter 100 Years of the Tees Transporter Bridge |publisher=Middlesbrough Council |pages=48–49 |isbn=978-0860830894}}</ref> The [[Shaft (civil engineering)|shafts]] that had been dug out by this process were then filled with [[concrete]].<ref name=allan50 /> The formal laying of the foundation stones, made of [[Economy of Aberdeen#Granite|Aberdeen granite]], took place in August 1910 when they were laid by the  Mayor of Middlesbrough, Thomas Gibson-Poole, and [[Alderman]] Joseph McLauchlan, the initiator of the transporter bridge scheme.<ref name=allan50>{{cite book |last=Allan |first=Dave |year=2011 |title=The Transporter 100 Years of the Tees Transporter Bridge |publisher=Middlesbrough Council |page=50 |isbn=978-0860830894}}</ref> The opening ceremony on 17 October 1911 was performed by [[Prince Arthur of Connaught]].<ref name=allan3>{{cite book |last=Allan |first=Dave |year=2011 |title=The Transporter 100 Years of the Tees Transporter Bridge |publisher=Middlesbrough Council |page=3 |isbn=978-0860830894}}</ref> At its opening the bridge was painted red.<ref name=allan103>{{cite book |last=Allan |first=Dave |year=2011 |title=The Transporter 100 Years of the Tees Transporter Bridge |publisher=Middlesbrough Council |page=103 |isbn=978-0860830894}}</ref>

During the [[First World War]], Middlesbrough was bombed by an [[Zeppelin LZ 41|L11 Zeppelin]] in April 1916.<ref name=allan120 /> During this raid it was reported that a bomb fell through the structure before hitting the river below.<ref name=allan120>{{cite book |last=Allan |first=Dave |year=2011 |title=The Transporter 100 Years of the Tees Transporter Bridge |publisher=Middlesbrough Council |page=120 |isbn=978-0860830894}}</ref> During the [[Second World War]], the superstructure of the bridge was hit by a bomb. In 1953, the gondola got stuck halfway. While it was stuck, [[gale]] force winds lashed water to within inches of it; despite this, the bridge continued to operate.

In 1961, the bridge was painted blue.<ref name=allan103 />

In 1974, the comedy actor [[Terry Scott]], travelling between his hotel in Middlesbrough and a performance at the [[Billingham]] Forum, mistook the bridge for a regular toll crossing and drove his [[Jaguar Cars|Jaguar]] off the end of the roadway, landing in the safety netting beneath.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-19947021 |title=Transporter Bridge celebrations end with time capsule |work=BBC News (Tees) Website |date=15 October 2012 |publisher=bbc.co.uk |access-date=22 June 2017}}</ref>

In December 1993, the bridge was awarded the [[Institution of Mechanical Engineers]]' highest honour, the Heritage Plaque, for engineering excellence, in recognition of the council's efforts in keeping the bridge in good working order. Its historical importance was also recognised in 1985 by its listing as a Grade II* [[Listed Building]], and its prominence as a local landmark was further enhanced in 1993 by the installation of floodlights that operate during the winter months.

In July 2000, a visitor centre was opened on land previously occupied by the bridge workshop.<ref name=allan111>{{cite book |last=Allan |first=Dave |year=2011 |title=The Transporter 100 Years of the Tees Transporter Bridge |publisher=Middlesbrough Council |page=111 |isbn=978-0860830894}}</ref>

In 2011, the Tees Transporter Bridge received a £2.6&nbsp;million [[Heritage Lottery Fund]] award for improvement and renovation work to mark the bridge's centenary. The improvement works included the installation of a glass viewing lift to the landmark's upper walkway and renovation of the gondola.

The bridge was closed on 27 August 2013 for 40 days of repainting. It was then discovered that repairs were needed. In the same year, the Tees Transporter Bridge Anniversary Award was inaugurated as part of the Transporter Bridge's Heritage Lottery Fund-supported Visitor Experience Project in partnership with the [[Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation]] (CIHT) and [[Teesside University]]. The inaugural award winner was Stephen Brown in autumn 2013, with Jason Dunnett receiving the accolade in autumn 2014.<ref name="TU:STITAA">{{cite web |year=2017 |title=Student receives inaugural Transporter anniversary award |url=http://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/news/pressreleases_story.cfm?story_id=4466&this_issue_title=October%202013&this_issue=245 |access-date=28 January 2017 |work=Teesside University}}</ref>
[[File:Transporter Bridge.jpg|alt=Transporter Bridge – April 2018|thumb|Transporter Bridge, April 2018]]
On 5 March 2015, the [[Royal Mail]] issued a set of 10 First Class commemorative postage stamps featuring iconic British bridges including the Tees Transporter Bridge. The bridge was re-opened for traffic on 6 April 2015, but improvement work continued with the bridge still in daily use. These were completed in September 2015 after more than £4&nbsp;million had been spent on the structure.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 March 2015 |title=Tees Transporter Bridge reopens |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-31787804 |access-date=15 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Engineering Timelines – Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge |url=http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=6 |access-date=15 October 2018 |website=engineering-timelines.com}}</ref>

In August 2019, the bridge was temporarily closed due to safety concerns.<ref>{{cite web |date=19 May 2016 |title=Tees Transporter Bridge |url=https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-footpaths/tees-transporter-bridge |access-date=24 February 2021 |website=middlesbrough.gov.uk}}</ref>

It is thought that repairs could cost up to £7&nbsp;million and {{As of|2024|lc=y}} it remains closed with its future under discussion.<ref>{{cite web |title=Future of the Transporter Bridge to be discussed |url=https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/news/future-transporter-bridge-be-discussed |website=middlesbrough.gov.uk |access-date=14 April 2022 |date=9 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Metcalfe |first=Alex |title='It's not a relic': Leaders agree Transporter Bridge should reopen |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/its-not-just-relic-past-19434376 |website=TeessideLive |access-date=14 April 2022 |date=10 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Historic Transporter Bridge structural problems 'much worse than advised' |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/20605567.middlesbrough-transporter-bridge-hit-structural-problems/ |access-date=8 August 2022 |website=The Northern Echo|date=6 August 2022 }}</ref>

==Local culture==
[[File:Transporter Bridge, 2010 Teeside Running Day.jpg|thumb|2010 Teesside Running Day]]
Locally, the bridge is often referred to simply as 'the Transporter'. The bridge hosts an annual vintage bus running day, organised by The 500 Group.<ref>[http://www.500group.org.uk/ The 500 Group] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403100213/http://www.500group.org.uk/|date=3 April 2007}}</ref> On this one day per year, usually a Sunday in April, vintage buses take people on free rides around [[Teesside]]. As part of the 2006 and 2007 events, the bridge made a special trip carrying a former Teesside Municipal Transport [[Daimler Fleetline]], the first time a [[double-decker bus]] had used the bridge in 30 years.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 April 2007 |title=Our annual Teesside Running Day |url=http://www.communigate.co.uk/ne/the500group/page3.phtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124161126/http://www.communigate.co.uk/ne/the500group/page3.phtml |archive-date=24 January 2008 |access-date=19 January 2008}}</ref>

It has been featured in films and TV programmes including ''[[Boys from the Blackstuff]]'', ''[[Billy Elliot]]'', ''[[The Fast Show]]'', ''[[Spender]]'', ''[[Vera (TV series)|Vera]]'', and ''[[Steel River Blues]]''. During the [[millennium]] celebrations of 2000, [[firework]]s were fired from its length. The storyline of the third series of ''[[Auf Wiedersehen, Pet]]'' saw the bridge dismantled to be sold to and re-erected in the United States. The local council received calls from people worried that the bridge was really being pulled down,<ref>{{cite web |date=13 May 2002 |title=Bridge not under threat, pet |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1985075.stm |access-date=20 January 2009 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> with the BBC adding a disclaimer on the end of the final episode of the series stating that 'The Transporter Bridge is still in Middlesbrough'.

==See also==
* [[Newport Transporter Bridge]] – a similar bridge in South East Wales;
* [[Tees Newport Bridge]] – a vertical-lift bridge upstream of Middlesbrough. 
* [[Warrington Transporter Bridge]] – a similar bridge in North West England, now disused.

== References ==

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
* Anon. (1911) "The transporter bridge over the River Tees", ''The Engineer'', '''112''' (September)
* Fernández Troyano, Leonardo (2003) ''Bridge engineering : a global perspective [Tierra sobre el agua]'', London : Thomas Telford, {{ISBN|0-7277-3215-3}}
* Prade, Marcel (1988) ''Ponts et viaducs au XIXe siècle'', Poitiers (France) : Brissaud, {{ISBN|2-902170-59-9}}
* Prade, Marcel (1990) ''Les grands ponts du monde: Ponts remarquables d'Europe'', Poitiers (France) : Brissaud, {{ISBN|2-902170-65-3}}
* Woodhouse, Robert (2009) ''Tees Valley Curiosities'', Stroud, Gloucestershire : The History Press, {{ISBN|978-0-7509-5077-0}}

== External links ==

{{commons category|Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge}}
* [https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-footpaths/tees-transporter-bridge Middlesbrough Council official Transporter Bridge page]
* [https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-footpaths/tees-transporter-bridge/friends-transporter-bridge-and-volunteering Middlesbrough Council – Transporter Bridge friends and volunteers]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/articles/2007/08/09/360_transporter_bridge_feature.shtml The Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge at BBC Tees]
* {{Structurae|id=20002354|title=Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge}}

{{navboxes
|list1=
{{Crossings navbox
|structure   = [[List of crossings of the River Tees|Crossings]]
|place       = [[River Tees]]
|bridge      = Tees Transporter Bridge
|upstream    = [[Tees Newport Bridge]]<br />(Newport Bridge)
|downstream  = ''[[North Sea]]''
}}
{{Middlesbrough}}
{{Stockton}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Transporter bridges]]
[[Category:Bridges in County Durham]]
[[Category:Bridges in North Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Transport in Middlesbrough|Transporter Bridge]]
[[Category:Crossings of the River Tees]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in North Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Bridges completed in 1911]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Middlesbrough]]
[[Category:Toll bridges in England]]
[[Category:1911 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed bridges in England]]