Engineering graduate wins Transporter Bridge award

Teesside University graduate Jay Dunnett is this year's winner of the Tees Transporter Bridge Anniversary Award.

The Award, in partnership with the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) and Teesside University, was inaugurated last year as part of the landmark’s Heritage Lottery Fund supported £2.6m Visitor Experience Project.

Jay Dunnett, who recently graduated from the University’s BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering course, was chosen as the award’s second winner in recognition of the high degree of innovation in the design and implementation of his final year laboratory experimental project.

The project examined the performance of structural-grade solid timber beam sections, immediately after exposure to fire, in comparison to sections exposed to ambient temperatures.

CIHT North East Branch representative Trevor Platt and former Middlesbrough Council Principal Engineer Rodger Wakerley, now working to form the Friends of the Tees Transporter Bridge group, presented Jay with the award and a cheque funded by the CIHT at a ceremony at the Transporter Bridge Visitor Centre.

Dr Steve Bloomer, Subject Group Leader at Teesside University, said: 'We are pleased to continue the relationship with the Tees Transporter Bridge following the success of last year’s award.

'Jay is a very worthy recipient of the award and has proven to be a diligent, tenacious hard worker.

'Throughout the course he put in a sustained effort and consistently performed well, as reflected in his laboratory project.'

Jay added: 'Recognition for my final year project was very unexpected and welcome news.

'The award is received at a time when I am heavily committed to remote-type location works which meant I would be unable to attend the graduation ceremony.

'The affiliation with the CIHT and the landmark project at the Tees Transporter Bridge has been an extremely fulfilling experience.'

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