Saving the 100 Year old Newport Transporter Bridge

Blanc Creative – Commercial Photography, Video and Podcast Production

Newport Transporter Bridge Gets Makeover and New Visitor Centre

Nestled in the heart of Newport, Wales, the Newport Transporter Bridge stands as a mighty symbol of Welsh industrial ingenuity and heritage for almost one hundred and ten years.

A transporter bridge, alternatively referred to as a ferry bridge or aerial transfer bridge, is a distinctive type of movable bridge used for carrying a segment of roadway across a river.

Its high-level boom, supported by towering structures, facilitates a rail track for a moving carriage, known as a ‘traveller.’

This carriage transports a suspended gondola or platform, powered by twin 35 horsepower electric motors, across the river via a hauling cable mechanism.

Originally conceptualised by English engineer Charles Smith, the first operational model was a collaboration between Spaniard Alberto Palacio and Frenchman Ferdinand Arnodin in 1893, near Bilbao, Spain.

The Newport Transporter Bridge

In 1900, Newport bustled as a thriving port, its activity concentrated upstream from where the Transporter Bridge stands today.

Across the river, industry burgeoned on the east bank, necessitating a lengthy four-mile trek for residents predominantly situated on the west bank to reach their workplaces via the town bridge.

Although a ferry service existed, its viability was marred by the unpredictable tidal patterns and perilous accidents, rendering it impractical for daily commutes.

Robert Haynes, the Borough Engineer, caught wind of the innovative transporter bridges emerging across the continent and urged the council to explore the recently constructed transporter bridge in Rouen, France.

This novel bridge promised an economical solution, as the technical complexities and expenses of tunneling, as well as the extensive approach ramp required for conventional bridges, posed significant challenges.

Construction In 1900, parliamentary approval was sought and secured to erect the bridge, with construction commencing in 1902.

Haynes and Arnodin were appointed as joint engineers, and Alfred Thorne of Westminster was awarded the contract for construction.

The bridge’s completion came at a cost of £98,000, and it was inaugurated on September 12, 1906, by Lord Tredegar of Tredegar House.

With parliamentary approval secured in 1900, construction began under the stewardship of engineers Robert Haynes and Arnodin, with Alfred Thorne of Westminster leading the construction efforts. In 1906, the bridge was inaugurated by Lord Tredegar of Tredegar House, marking a milestone in Newport’s industrial history.

Fast forward to Newport in the early 20th century and The Newport Transporter Bridge still stands proud across the River Usk as it has done for over one hundred and ten years, but sadly, a century of driving rain, wind, snow and the burning heat have taken their toll.

Bringing the Newport Transporter Bridge Back to Life

Today, a collaborative effort spearheaded by John Perkins Construction, Newport City Council, Newport Norse, and design team AWW aims to breathe new life into this iconic structure.

Extensive restoration work by VolkerLaser, supported by funding from various entities including Newport City Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Welsh Government, the Wolfson Foundation, and the Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge, ensures its preservation for generations to come.

Newport Transporter Bridge Documents day Norwich Photographer

As the bridge undergoes this transformative phase, Blanc Creative were invited to document the bridge for Newport Norse, as the bridge entered its first quarter of metal blasting, cable replacement and restoration.

As an established Norwich Commercial Photography and Corporate Video production Business, have been working for over ten years in the commercial sector, documenting construction sector Photography, Industrial Photography and Engineering Photography across the whole of the UK and even internationally.

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