Transporter Bridge could be open for Ryder Cup (From South Wales Argus)

Transporter Bridge could be open for Ryder Cup

4:20pm Tuesday 9th February 2010

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NEWPORT’S landmark Transporter Bridge could be up and running in time for this year’s Ryder Cup.

A contractor is carrying out around £2 million of repairs, which started in January.

It is hoped the work will then be completed in July in time for the three-day event which starts on October 1.

The bridge closed more than two years ago after the high level rails supporting the gondola were deemed unsafe.

It has only been open in the past for some emergency journeys and the council predicted £2 million would need to be found before it could be reopened on a permanent basis.

Around £1.2 million has already been awarded to the project through grants from the council, Cadw, and the Assembly.

The contractor, which has carried out work on other transporter bridges in the UK, has already been on site assessing the work needed.

Cabinet member for highways and engineering, Cllr David Atwell, said he was extremely pleased that work on the bridge was due to start.

He said: “We want the bridge to be a place for people to come and visit. It is key to the city regeneration and our heritage.”

The bridge is the only one of its kind in Wales, and while there was once 16 in the world, it is now believed there are only eight left including those in Middlesborough and Warrington.

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