Image via Wikipedia
As famous as Tyneside’s Angel of the North, but with a much longer lineage, The Transporter Bridge, iconic symbol of Teesside is 100 years old today.
Some of us never thought the bridge would still be in service due to the many threatened closures over the years.
When the team from Auf Wiedersehen Pet arrived to dismantle the bridge in order to sell it to an American Indian Nation, there were howls of protest, with angry phone calls both to the media and the council. It would seem even a threat in a fictional television could stir the passions of Teesside to protect their famous landmark.
Image via Wikipedia
All a very far cry from the day Prince Arthur of Connaught opened the bridge back on the 17 October 1911.
Remarkably the bridge survived the German bombing raids of Teesside during World War Two, its cradle carrying passengers, as well as vehicles of all sizes, over the water, Middlesbrough in the south, Port Clarence in the north.
The structure itself is occasionally opened to allow people to take the long way, up and over the top, not for the faint hearted, but it does provide spectacular views of the surrounding area. Then there are those strange people who make the climb to the top but want a quicker way down. They jump, attached by elasticated ropes. With the cradle tucked to one of the banks, I’m told the bridge provides the ideal bungee platform, with the jumpers being picked up by boat once they have made their leap.
Since the bridge is 100 years old, I wonder if the team received a telegram from Her Majesty the Queen? We’ll never know.
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