34 | Tees Business
TEES
TALK
Major renovations are taking place to the Transporter Bridge to make it
more of a visitor attraction. It’s been called a masterpiece of engineering,
a mechanical marvel and the very symbol of Teesside. But it has also
been called an antiquated museum piece that should be scrapped.
So… is the Transporter important for Teesside?
Dave Budd, mayor of Middlesbrough
“The Transporter Bridge is an engineering
masterpiece, and one that is still working
more than a century after it carried its first
passengers and cargo across the Tees.
“But it’s so much more than that – it’s a
proud symbol of everything we love about
Teesside, and of this area’s hugely important
industrial heritage.
“The current Heritage Lottery Fundsupported renovation and refurbishment
works are nearly complete, and they will
herald a new era in the life of this iconic
landmark, both as a working bridge and as a
leisure and heritage destination.
”
Mike Maguire, managing director, Marton
Pharmacy
“I don’t think I’ve ever used the Transporter
to get from one side of the river to the other
but do believe we should be proud of our
history – and that’s what the Transporter
represents.
“I think Middlesbrough and Teesside
need to make more use of all any assets
we have. When we have one as good as the
Transporter, the last thing we want to do
is scrap it. We need to restore it and make
it interesting for the modern era, so I’m
pleased to hear of the work that’s going on
there.
”
Damon Roberts, general manager, Thistle
Hotel, Middlesbrough
“We can’t imagine Middlesbrough without
the Transporter. It’s a powerful symbol of
the area’s industrial heritage and of the
engineering skills that have existed in
Teesside for more than a century.
“Our guests come from all corners of
the globe and few of them leave without
seeing the Transporter – our receptionists are
regularly asked for directions from people
wanting to see it up close.
“Several years ago, when the bridge
featured in the TV series Auf Wiedersehen
Pet, the hotel experienced a huge surge in
visitor numbers and a lot of guests expected
to see the bridge being dismantled ready to
be transported to America, as was happening
in the show!”
Dave Ramrekha, director, VIA Creative
“People from outside the region don’t get
the Transporter, but that’s just fine by me. We
love it. It’s a Boro thing and always will be a
symbolic piece of engineering craftsmanship
that Teesside was renowned for.
“As a little kid, car trips to Seaton Carew
were made even more special simply by
crossing on the gondola and worrying if our
car would drop off the edge like comedian
Terry Scott’s did in 1974! The Transporter is
a Boro landmark that should be celebrated,
and now with easier access to the top, more
widely visited and enjoyed.
”
Jamie Brown, partner, Endeavour
Partnership LLP
“The Transporter is an iconic structure and
image of Middlesbrough. I suspect not so
many people use it now but it’s a visitor
attraction as well as having a fu