Newport Bridge

"Went today just to admire this true beauty you forget just how good it is really i mean I have obviously drove over many times but today I was on foot and I just had to marvel how good this bridge is and again marvel at the engineering of this great structure.
Enough said thank you."

Graeme Vipond

"Spectacular piece of British engineering, a truly majestic, iconic and unique bridge. Dating back to 1934 this vertical-lift bridge spanning the river Tees is something of a marvel and simply cannot be missed if you're in the area. Often overlooked because of the more famous nearby Transporter bridge just down the way Tees Newport Bridge has its own charm and provides a very different view of the engineering minds of the time.

Often this bridge is the first that comes into view as you travel Northbound on the A19. Traditionally this bridge was green in colour but underwent an overhaul and repaint in 2015 for its 80th anniversary and is now red and silver "although the silver is more grey" Shortly afterwards the bridge was illuminated and now boast an array of coloured lights to commemorate different events such as "red and white" for St Georges day.

Tees Newport Bridge was opened by Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI), on February 28, 1934, at that time the first large vertical-lift bridge in Europe, the bridge itself spans the river Tees connecting Stockton-on-Tees to Middlesbrough, Stockton famous for its connection to the industrial railway heritage and the connection with the worlds first locomotive powered passenger rail line between Stockton and Darlington "Stockton and Darlington Railway, which opened in England in 1825"

Tees Newport bridge is somewhat of an oddity with very few bridges of its type in existence even today. The other most notable example is ironically in Newport, Wales, United Kingdom.

This local landmark characterises the area in which it sits and is the most eye-catching across the Teesside Skyline viewed from the West Lane and Newport area. Amazing to see at night with the recent illuminations it makes for quite the view at night and should not be missed if you appreciate engineering of this era as there really isn't many like it.

The bridge sadly however no longer functions as a lift bridge "although still open to traffic and pedestrians" primarily because it is no longer useful for the purpose it was built for, the ports have since moved further towards Redcar and Middlesbrough and thus the need to travel further up river is no longer required as trains now provide more than adequate alternatives.

The first of its kind in Britain and the largest and heaviest of its type globally when it was built. It could lift its 2,700-ton span 90 feet in seven minutes, providing 120 feet of clearance for river traffic to access Stockton. The bridge is a Grade II listed structure and is maintained by both the Middlesbrough and Stockton-on-Tees local authorities.,

The Newport Bridge was last lifted for ships on November 18, 1990. This final lift before the bridge was permanently fixed in place, It has remained so ever since. Following the final lift, the bridge was converted to a fixed structure as part of the A1032 road. The bridge is made from Steel and concrete with a
main span of 82 meters (269 feet) the lift height is 90 feet with a clearance of 120 feet at high water. Estimated weight of span 2,700 tons with a total moving load of 5,400 tons. It was originally powered by two 325 horsepower electric motors, with a standby 450 horsepower petrol engine and a manual winch system as back-up.

Just down from the main bridge is also another smaller railway bridge which is you blinked you'd miss. The Billingham Branch Bridge built in 1934 over the now-disused Billingham Branch railway is historically significant as it's believed to be the first all-welded steel bridge in Britain, located on the A1032 approximately 500 meters north of Newport Bridge itself. If you are going to visit the Branch Bridge I'd recommend going during the day as you can get underneath the bridge, this gives you a better idea of its construction.

A river walk is well worth it, with stairways to access both sides of the Tees from both the Stockton and Middlesbrough side, accessed if you walk over the bridge."

Daniel Doherty

"One of middlesbroughs iconic bridge landmarks crossing the tees. The structure Newport Bridge is still standing however this vertical lift bridge dosnt lift anymore . The bridge was opened to traffic In 1934 and is still open to traffic today

It was designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson and built by local company Dorman Long, who were responsible for such structures as the Tyne Bridge and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It took just under three years to build and was opened by the Prince Albert, Duke of York (later to be King George VI) on 28 February 1934."

Paul Barwick