Newport bridge swings back into action

A historic Transporter Bridge, one of only eight in the world, officially reopened to the public in Newport, South Wales in July following a £1.225 million refurbishment project.

Originally opened in 1906, the imposing Grade I listed structure carries passengers across the River Usk on an electrically powered gondola that travels between two towers measuring 242feet (74m) each. Visitors can take a ride on the gondola and cross the public walkway at the top of the towers for panoramic views of the area.

The refurbishment of Newport Transporter Bridge is one of the legacies of The Ryder Cup, which Newport is hosting from 1-3 October 2010, following the completion of the project funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, Newport City Council and Cadw. It took six months, during which time 12 abseiling painters were dangling from the towers on a typical day to repaint approximately four miles of steel.

The Bridge holds a special place in the city’s history and has seen a number of unusual occurrences over the years, including a hijacking in 1984 by a group of picketing miners and an ambitious, if misguided, scheme by a local businessman in the late 1960s to sell the Bridge to the USA and reposition it by Niagara Falls.

Leader of Newport City Council, Cllr Matthew Evans, says: “The Transporter Bridge is a Newport landmark and a magnificent reminder of our history and heritage, particularly as we look forward to hosting the Ryder Cup in October. Being one of only several in the world makes this reopening even more significant and we are delighted to welcome visitors back to the Bridge”.

Cllr Matthew Evans was joined by the Mayor of Newport Cllr Bill Langsford, the stars of recent YouTube hit Newport (Ymerodraeth State of Mind), Newport Male Voice Choir and the city’s children’s choir Cor Casnewydd for the reopening ceremony.