THE Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge are to open a visitor centre telling the history of the city's most famous landmark.

A visitor centre and Transporter Bridge office was opened on the west bank of the river 10 years ago following a £3 million refurbishment of the bridge, but it was closed by Newport City Council in 2008 because it needed £2 million of repairs.

Cabinet member for leisure and continued learning Cllr Mike Hamilton agreed in principle last week to pass responsibility for the building over to the Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge, who hope that once the agreement is finalised the proposed visitor centre can be reopened seven days a week.

Chairman of the Friends Cllr David Hando said the centre would provide displays and information on the history of the iconic bridge, and the group would also like to provide visitors with refreshments and have souvenirs on sale.

Cllr Hando said: "People come from all over the world to look at the Transporter Bridge, and that will only increase when it is reopened.

"We want to offer the service the visitor centre was intended for.”

The Friends are now in the process of applying for funding to get the project off the ground.

The Transporter Bridge, which is the only one of its kind in Wales and one of just eight in world, is currently closed while it it repaired.

But the Argus reported last month that the council hoped in would be reopened in time for the Ryder Cup.

Speaking yesterday Cabinet member for highways and engineering Cllr David Atwell said the repairs were on course, and the authority hoped the bridge would reopen in July.

He said he would be giving his full support to plans for a visitor centre run by the Friends.