Tees Newport Bridge
Encyclopedia
Opened to traffic on 28 February 1934 by the Duke of York
, the Tees Newport Bridge spans the River Tees
a short distance upriver from Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge
, linking Middlesbrough
with the borough of Stockton-on-Tees
, England
.
Designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson
and built by local company Dorman Long
, who have also been responsible for such structures as the Tyne Bridge
and Sydney Harbour Bridge
, it was the first large vertical lift bridge in Britain.
The bridge was opened by the Prince Albert, Duke of York
(later King George VI).
Constructed around twin 182ft (55m) lifting towers, the 270ft (82m) bridge span, weighing 2,700 tonnes, could be lifted by the use of two 325 H.P. electric motors at 52ft per minute to a maximum height of 120ft (37m).
In the event of motor failure a standby 450 H.P. petrol engine could be employed to move the bridge, but should both systems fail it was possible to raise or lower the span manually using a winch mechanism.
It was estimated in 1963 by Mr R. Batty, long time Bridge Master at Newport Bridge, that "it would take 12 men eight hours" to complete the movement by hand.
Originally 12 men would have been employed to man the bridge around the clock, usually requiring four to drive it at any one time.
This was accomplished from the oak-panelled winding house situated midway along the bridge span.
During the 1940s and early 1950s this would occur up to twice a day with an average of 800 vessels per week passing under it, however, as the number of ships needing to sail up to Stockton-on-Tees
declined, so did the usage of the bridge.
Legal requirement to lift the bridge for shipping traffic was removed in 1989 after the repeal of a parliamentary act.
Before mechanical decommissioning Mr Ian MacDonald who worked on the bridge from 1966, finally as Bridge Master, supervised the final lift on 18 November 1990.
Tees Newport Bridge still serves as a road bridge, carrying considerable traffic as a section of the A1032, despite the presence of the A19 Tees Viaduct a short distance upriver.
In recent years it was repainted in its original green and some minor maintenance took place on the wire ropes and counterbalances which still take the majority of the bridge load.
As of December 2008, the bridge needs repainting as paint is peeling off on parts of the bridge.
Duke of York
The Duke of York is a title of nobility in the British peerage. Since the 15th century, it has, when granted, usually been given to the second son of the British monarch. The title has been created a remarkable eleven times, eight as "Duke of York" and three as the double-barreled "Duke of York and...
, the Tees Newport Bridge spans the River Tees
River Tees
The River Tees is in Northern England. It rises on the eastern slope of Cross Fell in the North Pennines, and flows eastwards for 85 miles to reach the North Sea between Hartlepool and Redcar.-Geography:...
a short distance upriver from Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge
Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge
The Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge or Tees Transporter Bridge is the furthest downstream bridge across the River Tees, England. It connects Middlesbrough, on the south bank, to Port Clarence, on the north bank. It is a transporter bridge, carrying a travelling 'car', or 'gondola', suspended from...
, linking Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough is a large town situated on the south bank of the River Tees in north east England, that sits within the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire...
with the borough of Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton-on-Tees (borough)
Stockton-on-Tees is a unitary authority area and borough in the Tees Valley area of north east England, with a population in 2001 of 178,408, rising to 185,880 in 2005 estimates....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson
Mott, Hay and Anderson
Mott, Hay and Anderson was a successful 20th century firm of consulting civil engineers based in the United Kingdom. The company traded until 1989, when it merged with Sir M. MacDonald & Partners to form Mott MacDonald.-Early years:...
and built by local company Dorman Long
Dorman Long
Dorman Long, based in Middlesbrough, North East England, was a major steel producer, which diversified into bridge building, and is now a manufacturer of steel components and construction equipment for bridges and other structures...
, who have also been responsible for such structures as the Tyne Bridge
Tyne Bridge
The Tyne Bridge is a through arch bridge over the River Tyne in North East England, linking Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead. It was designed by the engineering firm Mott, Hay and Anderson, who later designed the Forth Road Bridge, and was built by Dorman Long and Co. of Middlesbrough. At the time...
and Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district and the North Shore. The dramatic view of the bridge, the harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is an iconic...
, it was the first large vertical lift bridge in Britain.
The bridge was opened by the Prince Albert, Duke of York
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
(later King George VI).
Constructed around twin 182ft (55m) lifting towers, the 270ft (82m) bridge span, weighing 2,700 tonnes, could be lifted by the use of two 325 H.P. electric motors at 52ft per minute to a maximum height of 120ft (37m).
In the event of motor failure a standby 450 H.P. petrol engine could be employed to move the bridge, but should both systems fail it was possible to raise or lower the span manually using a winch mechanism.
It was estimated in 1963 by Mr R. Batty, long time Bridge Master at Newport Bridge, that "it would take 12 men eight hours" to complete the movement by hand.
Originally 12 men would have been employed to man the bridge around the clock, usually requiring four to drive it at any one time.
This was accomplished from the oak-panelled winding house situated midway along the bridge span.
During the 1940s and early 1950s this would occur up to twice a day with an average of 800 vessels per week passing under it, however, as the number of ships needing to sail up to Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton-on-Tees is a market town in north east England. It is the major settlement in the unitary authority and borough of Stockton-on-Tees. For ceremonial purposes, the borough is split between County Durham and North Yorkshire as it also incorporates a number of smaller towns including...
declined, so did the usage of the bridge.
Legal requirement to lift the bridge for shipping traffic was removed in 1989 after the repeal of a parliamentary act.
Before mechanical decommissioning Mr Ian MacDonald who worked on the bridge from 1966, finally as Bridge Master, supervised the final lift on 18 November 1990.
Tees Newport Bridge still serves as a road bridge, carrying considerable traffic as a section of the A1032, despite the presence of the A19 Tees Viaduct a short distance upriver.
In recent years it was repainted in its original green and some minor maintenance took place on the wire ropes and counterbalances which still take the majority of the bridge load.
As of December 2008, the bridge needs repainting as paint is peeling off on parts of the bridge.
Gallery
See the List of Bridges for other notable bridgesExternal links
- Bridge Information: Middlesbrough Council, Communigate, Now & Then magazine
- Images: BBC, North York Moors CAM, and Silent UK
- Tide times for the Tees Newport Bridge from the BBC and Easytide.