Tees Newport Bridge - waiting for police

Описание: The Tees Newport Bridge is one of Teesside’s most iconic engineering landmarks, spanning the River Tees between Middlesbrough and Stockton-on-Tees. Opened in 1934, it was the first major vertical lift bridge in the UK and, at the time, one of the largest and heaviest of its kind in the world.

Built by Dorman Long & Co. (the same company behind the Tyne Bridge and Sydney Harbour Bridge) and designed by Mott, Hay & Anderson, the bridge was constructed to allow large ships to reach the busy docks upriver. Its central span weighed around 2,700 tonnes and could be lifted to around 37 metres (120 ft) to let tall vessels pass beneath.

At its peak, the bridge was lifted hundreds of times a year, operated by a dedicated crew using powerful electric motors with multiple backup systems in case of failure. As shipping traffic on the upper Tees declined, the need to raise the bridge reduced, and the legal requirement to lift it was removed in 1989. The final lift took place in November 1990, and the bridge has remained fixed down ever since.

Today, Newport Bridge still carries road traffic as part of the A1032 and remains a key local route, even though it has been overtaken in importance by newer crossings like the A19 Tees Viaduct. In recognition of its historical and engineering significance, it was granted Grade II listed status, and its distinctive red and silver paint scheme helps keep it a standout feature on the Teesside skyline.

More than just a road bridge, the Tees Newport Bridge is a lasting symbol of Teesside’s industrial past, shipbuilding heritage, and world-class engineering.