Newport Transporter Bridge open to walkers
- Published
Visitors to the 106-year-old Grade-I listed Newport Transporter Bridge, which reopened for the summer season over Easter, can now walk right across the top. Previously this was restricted to special open days. However, there are 177 steps to climb first before gaining access to the spectacular views from the high walkway.
The bridge which stands 240ft (74m) high and was built to transport steelworkers across the river, is one of just six still in operation and can ferry foot passengers and cars across the River Usk.
Newport Council, which operates the bridge, says it's an important tourist attraction for the city. It closes over the winter but a friends group, which operates a visitor centre on the west side, wants the bridge to be open all year round.
Friends chairman David Hando said they are to hand in a 2,800 name petition calling for the all-year opening to the council next week. "It's hopeless when visitors turn up and you have to say come back in the summer," said Mr Hando.
The Friends of the Bridge say it is arguably the finest of its kind, the towers standing 645ft (196m) apart. Visitors come from all across the world and campaigners want it to be given world heritage status
For those brave enough to climb to the walkway at the top the views are stunning - here looking towards the city of Newport.
Or, in the other direction, a view of Newport's old docks.
Among the Easter visitors crossing on the bridge was engineer Rob Graham, 51, from Pontypridd. He was on the first day of a 12,000 mile charity bike ride to New Zealand which he expects will take 10 months to complete. "'It's such an iconic image," said Mr Norman, an ex-serviceman who was on HMS Glamorgan in the Falklands conflict.
Gill Johnston and daughter Jo Freeman had driven from Wymondham in Norfolk with Jo's children Bethan, Erin and Euan to visit the transporter bridge. "It could be signposted better," said Jo. "But we've had a brilliant day. I've often thought about coming to see it and now we're here at last ... it's Big Pit tomorrow, so I suppose we're seeing the highs and lows of Wales."