NEWPORT'S 114-year-old Transporter Bridge is set for a major revamp - including a new visitor centre - thanks to an £8.75 million National Lottery grant.
It is one of only eight remaining transporter bridges in the world, and the world's most complete.
Filmed by Aerial Photography and Gareth Croft for Newport City Council
The funding will allow Newport City Council to carry out vital repairs and preservation work on the internationally-important structure and open a new visitor centre at the site.
A view from the top of the Transporter Bridge. Picture: Newport City Council
Opened in 1906, the aerial ferry was a bold solution to the problem of transporting workers from the west of Newport across the River Usk without disturbing traffic into the town’s busy port.
Filmed by Aerial Photography and Gareth Croft for Newport City Council
Andrew White, director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, Newport Transporter Bridge – one of the most important historic landmarks in Wales - has been safeguarded for future generations.
The Newport Transporter Bridge. Picture: Newport City Council
“This investment, the third largest we have ever made in Wales, will help sustain jobs, support economic growth, drive tourism and create a sense of pride in Newport’s unique heritage.
“We are proud of the investment we have made in Wales – more than £410 million over the past 26 years.
An artist's impression of the new developments planned for Newport Transporter Bridge. Picture: Newport City Council
A view from the top of the Transporter Bridge. Picture: Newport City Council
"After a year of providing emergency support to Welsh heritage organisations hit by Covid-19, we will shortly be reopening applications for National Lottery project grants and look forward to funding many more important heritage attractions across Wales.”
Filmed by Aerial Photography and Gareth Croft for Newport City Council
Once the restoration work is complete, visitors to the national heritage attraction will be able to follow in the footsteps of the men who built the bridge by climbing to the top of the walkway, 55 metres above the water.
From there, they will be able to take in the glorious views over South Wales and marvel at the incredible Edwardian structure as they take a ride on the gondola.
An artist's impression of the new developments planned for Newport Transporter Bridge. Picture: Newport City Council
An artist's impression of the new developments planned for Newport Transporter Bridge. Picture: Newport City Council
Newport Transporter Bridge. Picture: Newport City Council
And at the site’s new visitor centre, there will be an opportunity to learn about the social history and heritage of the bridge and the tidal environment of the river Usk.
Cllr Jane Mudd, leader of Newport City Council, said: “The transporter bridge is an icon of Newport, and a significant part of the story of Wales’ industrial past, one that we need to preserve for future generations so that we can tell the stories of our shared history.
"I’m therefore delighted that we have been able to secure this funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund which will allow us to do exactly that.
An artist's impression of the new developments planned for Newport Transporter Bridge. Picture: Newport City Council
A diagram of Newport Transporter Bridge. Picture: Newport City Council
“The restoration of the bridge is also important from a regeneration perspective.
"The development of a new visitor centre has the potential to create both job and volunteering opportunities, and enhance the city’s reputation as a visitor destination, both of which will bring wider economic benefits to Newport.”
MORE NEWS:
- Houses on A472 in Hafodyrynys boarded up
- Abergavenny woman can’t visit mum after man’s Covid taunt
- Blaina thug jailed for attacking ex and police officer
The project will reconnect the Newport Transporter Bridge with its local community and contribute to the redevelopment of Newport and provide an economic boost for the area, providing jobs and visitor income.
The new visitor centre, which will be linked to the bridge via a walkway, will have a café, toilets and changing facilities, shop, exhibition gallery and community space.
How the exhibition area will look. Picture: Newport City Council
Newport Transporter Bridge. Picture: Newport City Council
There will also be more car parking spaces for visitors and an activities programme including theatrical performances, art classes and mindfulness sessions.
The restoration work includes:
- repairing and repainting the east side approach viaduct;
- repairing the gondola and rotting timbers and replacing worn anchor pins and cables on the main booms;
- restoring lost architectural features and repairing the bridge’s cross beams and anchorage housing, and replenishing all worn wood and steel parts; and
- treating the entire bridge to prevent corrosion, repainting and fitting new lighting.
Newport Transporter Bridge. Picture: Newport City Council
Newport Transporter Bridge. Picture: Newport City Council
Newport Transporter Bridge has been attracting 20,000 visitors a year on average over the last five years.
It’s expected that the restoration and building work will take three and a half years and that once it’s completed, 47,000 people will visit the site annually within the first three years.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel