The Tees Transporter Bridge officially opened in October, 1911, and stands as both a grade II listed structure and an important symbol to the local area. Only two other ‘transporter’ bridges continue to exist in the United Kingdom. The original idea was devised by Charles Smith, the manager of Hartlepool Iron Works, in 1872, but the idea was not pursued until the beginning of the new century. Construction of the Tees Transporter Bridge subsequently took place between 1910 and 1911, and was built using 2600 tons of steel, at a cost of approximately £68,000. Upon completion the bridge was measured at a height of 223ft (68 metres), with a total span of 851ft (259.3 metres), making it the longest and largest of the remaining ‘transporter’ bridges in the United Kingdom; although this is often contested by those who claim that The Newport Transporter should be considered larger (this is because it is effectively taller by approximately 4.9 metres). All the same, the bridge ultimately connects Middlesbrough to Port Clarence and has since been used as an essential part of the A178 road. A ‘transporter’ bridge was specifically selected for the area to minimise the effect on transportation moving up and down the river, as that expanse of river was a main dockland area. The use of a suspended gondola, an integral part of the ‘transporter’s’ design, accounts for abating disruption and can effectively carry 200 people and 9 cars in one crossing; give or take, this takes around 90 seconds. Over the years the bridge has featured in a number of celebrated films and TV programmes, including Billy Elliot and Auf Wiedersehen Pet.
Having settled in The Steel City for many weeks, we felt that an excursion to the North East was needed – why? Because it seems that no one has ever heard of the North East and, for some reason or another, it seems to have been missed off most people’s intellectual map of the UK. Access to the Tees Transporter Bridge during the day was interesting, to say the least, but, somehow we managed to sprint to the top undetected. The views of the immediate area and the Tuxedo Royale (the explore we’d just completed) were tremendous, and so we remained there for more than a moment. Sometime later, however, the views transformed dramatically and at this point I must hasten to add that it was entirely worth the effort as the views of the sunset across Middlesbrough, Port Clarence and beyond were, and still are, indescribable. The surrounding area, to the naked eye, is comprised of nothing but an industrialised vastness, yet, from our viewpoint we could truly appreciate the hundreds of years of effort, labour and intelligence. I sincerely hope you enjoy the photographs as much as we enjoyed being there…
1: The Tees Transporter from Underneath
2: First Steps at the Top
3: The First Glimpses of the Sunset Across Teesside
4: Top Walkway
5: Gradual Sunset
6: Shot from Side Gantry
7: Around the Middle of the Bridge
8: The Sinking Tuxedo Royale (Former Nightclub)
9: The Golden Hour
10: Overhead Beams and Supporting Framework
11: The Transporter's Old Rivets
12: The Tuxedo Royale and Surrounding Dock Area
13: Looking Down - Port Clarence Side
14: Attempting to Lean Over the Edge
15: Fading Sunset and Middlesbrough's Famous Cooling Towers
16: On the Other Side
17: Transport Ship
18: The Transporter's Framework at the Side of the Main Gantry
19: Main Staircase
20: The Tees Transporter Bridge
21: Bottom of the Main Staircase
22: Main Staircase - Originally for Pedestrian Users of the Bridge
Having settled in The Steel City for many weeks, we felt that an excursion to the North East was needed – why? Because it seems that no one has ever heard of the North East and, for some reason or another, it seems to have been missed off most people’s intellectual map of the UK. Access to the Tees Transporter Bridge during the day was interesting, to say the least, but, somehow we managed to sprint to the top undetected. The views of the immediate area and the Tuxedo Royale (the explore we’d just completed) were tremendous, and so we remained there for more than a moment. Sometime later, however, the views transformed dramatically and at this point I must hasten to add that it was entirely worth the effort as the views of the sunset across Middlesbrough, Port Clarence and beyond were, and still are, indescribable. The surrounding area, to the naked eye, is comprised of nothing but an industrialised vastness, yet, from our viewpoint we could truly appreciate the hundreds of years of effort, labour and intelligence. I sincerely hope you enjoy the photographs as much as we enjoyed being there…
1: The Tees Transporter from Underneath
2: First Steps at the Top
3: The First Glimpses of the Sunset Across Teesside
4: Top Walkway
5: Gradual Sunset
6: Shot from Side Gantry
7: Around the Middle of the Bridge
8: The Sinking Tuxedo Royale (Former Nightclub)
9: The Golden Hour
10: Overhead Beams and Supporting Framework
11: The Transporter's Old Rivets
12: The Tuxedo Royale and Surrounding Dock Area
13: Looking Down - Port Clarence Side
14: Attempting to Lean Over the Edge
15: Fading Sunset and Middlesbrough's Famous Cooling Towers
16: On the Other Side
17: Transport Ship
18: The Transporter's Framework at the Side of the Main Gantry
19: Main Staircase
20: The Tees Transporter Bridge
21: Bottom of the Main Staircase
22: Main Staircase - Originally for Pedestrian Users of the Bridge
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Should have the Royale pics up by the end of today.
could have used me as a decoy 
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