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Tees Transporter Bridge
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Tees Transporter Bridge
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 and the longest existing transporter in the world. Its winch house and piers are grade II listed.
It is the furthest downstream bridge crossing over the river. It is classed as the A178 road, the road between Middlesbrough and Hartlepool. 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.
The bridge has not been operational since 2019 due to safety concerns. A refurbishment scheme is currently being developed, with works on site expected to start in 2027 and completed by 2032, subject to funding.
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 Middlesbrough Corporation (Transporter Bridge) Act 1907 (7 Edw. 7. c. xx), the bridge was built at a cost of £68,026 6s 8d (equivalent to £7,080,000 in 2025 values), by Sir William Arrol & Co. of Glasgow between 1910 and 1911 to replace the 'Hugh Bell' and 'Erimus' steam ferry services. A transporter bridge was chosen because Parliament ruled that the new scheme of crossing the river had to avoid affecting the river navigation.
Construction work started in July 1909 with caissons being used to allow workers to dig down to bedrock. This turned out to be 65 feet (20 m) below the high tide mark on the Middlesbrough side and 90 feet (27 m) on the other. The shafts that had been dug out by this process were then filled with concrete. The formal laying of the foundation stones, made of 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. The opening ceremony on 17 October 1911 was performed by Prince Arthur of Connaught. At its opening the bridge was painted red.
During the First World War, Middlesbrough was bombed by the Zeppelin L 11 in April 1916. During this raid it was reported that a bomb fell through the structure before hitting the river below. 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.
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 off the end of the roadway, landing in the safety netting beneath.
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Tees Transporter Bridge
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 and the longest existing transporter in the world. Its winch house and piers are grade II listed.
It is the furthest downstream bridge crossing over the river. It is classed as the A178 road, the road between Middlesbrough and Hartlepool. 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.
The bridge has not been operational since 2019 due to safety concerns. A refurbishment scheme is currently being developed, with works on site expected to start in 2027 and completed by 2032, subject to funding.
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 Middlesbrough Corporation (Transporter Bridge) Act 1907 (7 Edw. 7. c. xx), the bridge was built at a cost of £68,026 6s 8d (equivalent to £7,080,000 in 2025 values), by Sir William Arrol & Co. of Glasgow between 1910 and 1911 to replace the 'Hugh Bell' and 'Erimus' steam ferry services. A transporter bridge was chosen because Parliament ruled that the new scheme of crossing the river had to avoid affecting the river navigation.
Construction work started in July 1909 with caissons being used to allow workers to dig down to bedrock. This turned out to be 65 feet (20 m) below the high tide mark on the Middlesbrough side and 90 feet (27 m) on the other. The shafts that had been dug out by this process were then filled with concrete. The formal laying of the foundation stones, made of 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. The opening ceremony on 17 October 1911 was performed by Prince Arthur of Connaught. At its opening the bridge was painted red.
During the First World War, Middlesbrough was bombed by the Zeppelin L 11 in April 1916. During this raid it was reported that a bomb fell through the structure before hitting the river below. 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.
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 off the end of the roadway, landing in the safety netting beneath.
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