NEWPORT'S Transporter Bridge could be part of a joint international bid to become a World Heritage Site.

Members of the Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge (FONTB) were this week given some good news about this long-held dream.

Although there were once 16 transporter bridges around the world, it is believed only eight remain.

One in Bilbao in Spain, already has world heritage status which could be a good sign for the rest if it is decided to try for them all to be linked as one site.

Cllr David Atwell, cabinet member for highways, reported to FONTB's annual general meeting on an international conference he had attended involving representatives of many of the other towns and cities with transporter bridges.

He said he has signed a "declaration of intent", an agreement to investigate whether or not a bid should be made for world heritage status.

However, he stressed any decisions would need the backing of the city council and if it was decided to go ahead the process towards being declared a world heritage site could take up to five years.

Apart from Newport's landmark, the remaining transporter bridges are Portugalete, near Bilbao in Spain; Matrou, near Rochefort, France; Osten, Germany; Middlesbrough, England; Rendsburg, Germany; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Warrington, England.

Cllr Atwell also gave an update on the plans to restore the bridge to working order.

Four companies are tendering for the contract and work will start in February with a completion date in July.

Mayor Cllr Glyn Jarvis, a founder member of FONTB, said people in Newport were very proud of the bridge. "It is a valued part of our heritage and history and if it was not for the Friends it would not be so well preserved and commemorated."

Chairman steps down from bridge supporters

Anne Gatehouse has stepped down as chairman of the Friends after three years of tireless service although she will remain as membership secretary.

Cllr David Hando, who was chosen as her successor, thanked the committee and in particular Mrs Gatehouse for the tremendous amount of work she had done.

"The Friends would not have prospered without her help."

Newport Transporter Bridge is the city's icon and Cllr Hando said they would be interested in all the organisations that have used it in their logo.

He pointed out that when Newport County AFC needed a new logo 20 years ago, they had 80 entries and 40 of them used the bridge.