MORE must be done to promote the Newport Transporter Bridge and other historic attractions in Gwent to both tourists and people living in the area, a city AM has said.
Speaking in the Assembly this week, Newport West's Jayne Bryant said she believed more could be done to promote the 122-year-old bridge as a tourist attraction.
Newport City Council has submitted a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for cash to restore the bridge - one of only six working transporter bridges in the world. And the Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge are raising money to support the bid.
Addressing culture, tourism and sport minister Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Labour AM Ms Bryant said: "Along with Newport City Council, Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge and Heritage Lottery, I fully support the campaign to help secure the future of the bridge.
"Opened in 1906, it's a distinctive industrial landmark and a much-loved icon on Newport's skyline. It's a symbol of our proud industrial and maritime heritage.
"Does the minister agree that more must be done to promote the unique heritage we have in south east Wales, and not just to the tourists but to local residents and young people everywhere, so that they can enjoy and appreciate our historic sites?"
Lord Elis-Thomas replied: "I want to promote industrial heritage as the next phase of what I try and do in my role as minister, as long as I have this opportunity.
"I think I've done castles, I've done a few abbeys and now I want to do industrial heritage in a much bigger way."
He added: "The Transporter Bridge to me, if you'll allow me to borrow it, has to be our symbol, our icon of industrial heritage and what it means to us in Wales."
To help the bridge fundraising campaign visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/newporttransporterbridge1
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