Newly uncovered photographs provide new perspective for Newport Bridge's 80th anniversay celebrations

A Teesside University graduate has been helping to unearth over 100 historic pictures of the Newport Bridge for a special exhibition.

The striking images were uncovered in Teesside Archives’ yet to be catalogued Cleveland Bridge Collection by Tosh Warwick, of the Tees Transporter Bridge Visitor Experience Project, and Teesside University Graduate and Tees Valley Community Foundation intern Jonathon Hooton.

The pair are currently carrying out research for the upcoming ‘Bridging the World’ exhibition at the Transporter Bridge Visitor Centre, which celebrates the area’s bridge building heritage and features superstructures including Sydney Harbour and Victoria Falls Bridges.

Over 100 photographs of the Tees Newport Bridge dating from the early 1930s - many of which were taken by historic Middlesbrough-based photography firm W. Haig Parry - showcase the landmark’s development from the construction of approach roads that saw the demolition of nearby housing towers to the structure’s anchor span being lowered.

Other images show numerous iron and steel works and workers along the banks of the River Tees, the historic boundary between Durham and Yorkshire.

Tosh Warwick, author of ‘The History of the Tees Newport Bridge’ and Tees Transporter Bridge Education, Learning and Events Officer said: “We are delighted to have uncovered these unique images whilst carrying out research for the exhibition.

“The archival photographs provide invaluable, new perspectives on the Tees Newport Bridge during its early years including unique shots from the river itself.

“The Bridge provided the new major link between Durham and Yorkshire and played an integral role in the expansion of the national motorway network and continues to play an important role in linking the two counties today.”

Ruth Hobbins, Teesside Archives Manager added: 'The Cleveland Bridge Collection contains a wide range of unique photographs and documents relating to famous bridges and other structures around the world.

'Although the Collection is not yet available to the public, we are working on digitisation and research of this material which includes numerous structures across the globe.

'The Transporter Bridge Project Team has helped provide an insight into the contents of the numerous boxes of material and shed new light on local bridge building history.'

The Tees Transporter Bridge Visitor Experience Project is part of the £2.6m Heritage Lottery Fund scheme for refurbishment and upgrade work to the bridge.

‘Bridging the World’ is part of the wider Project which includes the installation of a new glass viewing lift to the 102 year old Tees Transporter Bridge’s 160ft high upper walkway, renovation work to the gondola, refurbishment of the existing Visitor Centre and new education, event and outreach activities.

The photographs, which will appear in the upcoming exhibition at the Transporter Bridge Visitor Centre in Middlesbrough, will also feature in ‘The History of the Tees Newport Bridge: The First 80 Years, 1934-2014’, a new book due for release in the coming months by Middlesbrough Council marking the Newport Bridge’s 80th anniversary.

‘The Green One and the Blue One’ art exhibition celebrating the Newport and Transporter Bridges will also take place at The Heritage Gallery, Cargo Fleet today (Friday, February 28) from 5.30pm-7.30pm to mark the 80th birthday of Dorman Long’s Newport Bridge.

Often overshadowed by its illustrious neighbour the Transporter Bridge, the Newport crossing was the first vertical lift bridge of its type in Britain and largest in the World when opened by the Duke and Duchess of York on 28 February 1934. Owing to a decline in river traffic on the Tees the need to lift the Bridge declined and the structure is now pinned down with the last elevation having taken place in 1990.

Tosh Warwick is appealing for members of the public to contribute their memories of the Newport Bridge for inclusion in the forthcoming history of the Bridge. Contributions can be emailed to history@middlesbrough.gov.uk or in writing to Tosh Warwick, Tees Newport Bridge Memories, 3rd Floor, PO Box 502, Vancouver House, Gurney Street, Middlesbrough, TS1 9FW.

For more information on the Tees Transporter Bridge Visitor Experience Project and its programme of activities and events visit the website or contact (01642) 728818.

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