OPINION
TeesTalk
What is the future of the Tees Transporter Bridge. Built in 1911, the iconic structure has dominated the Teesside skyline for 114 years.
But Teesside’ s most famous landmark has stood idle for around seven years, with engineers suggesting it is at risk of“ catastrophic collapse”. Potential costs to repair it or to simply make it safe have spiralled.
With the very existence of the Transporter under threat, we asked local business and political leaders for their thoughts …
BEN HOUCHEN, TEES VALLEY MAYOR The Transporter Bridge is Teesside’ s beating heart and a proud symbol of who we are. Its current state of disrepair, after decades of underinvestment by local councils, is simply unacceptable. The fact it’ s now on the risk register only confirms what we already know – this landmark matters and must be protected.
Middlesbrough Council has the responsibility to act and must urgently produce a plan to restore it. I’ ve allocated £ 30m to support that effort, but now is the time for action and a clear, deliverable plan.
ANDY PRESTON, INVESTOR AND FORMER ELECTED MAYOR OF MIDDLESBROUGH This huge metal landmark is a symbol of who we are and how we feel: it’ s different, it’ s uncompromising and it’ s painfully beautiful. The horrendous expense of maintaining and operating it shouldn’ t be a surprise to anyone because it was built with an expected lifespan of about 50 years. As a metallic structure, it’ s ancient.
I believe that the bill to fix it will end up being more like £ 100m- a painful cost but not impossible to find. Politicians can sort this out- and they should because they made promises to do so. Of course, money is tight but the deep resources of TVCA with support from councils mean that it can be done- if the total spend is viewed as a 20-year investment in transport, culture and tourism.
I do think that central government should help with the cost of repairs and I would expect that they will, so long as the strong local soundbites turn into commitments of money. We should work together and fix the bridge.
12 | Tees Business