Middlesbrough Tees Newport Bridge : The Last Lift

 

VIDEO UPDATE : March 2012

Re-edit version now available. I have taken the original master tapes and done a new edit. I think it is slightly clearer and has some new angles missing for the original post.

See the video

 

 

The Last Lift in 1990

On a very cold Sunday morning in November 1990 Middlesbrough's "Newport" Bridge was set to have its last lift. I got together with some other members of the then "Darlington Video Film Makers" to share the footage we would take that day,

I have placed a version of the film onto Youtube for all to see as a piece of Teesside history and hope you all enjoy.

The bridge was modified to static non lifting due to the high cost of replacing the steel lifting cables. This was further confirmed by the building of the Tees Barrage which limits large river traffic just a little way upstream.

The video technology of the day was limited (VHS), but unfortunately the master copy is lost and this lower quality second generation copy is all I now have available.

Direct YouTube link http://youtu.be/7dSHAyh1RuY