Minutes

Councillor Reeks asked:

Councillor Stowell-Corten responded:

An update on the project and details of the proposed opening of the visitor centre has been provided through a Press Release issued on 16^th July 2024.

Press release:

Link -

https://www.newport.gov.uk/newsroom/2024/transporter-bridge-transformation-project-update

After many months of work and lots of questions about activities happening under the white gazebos on the gantry, we’re pleased to be able to share with the people of Newport an update on the transformation project happening at the city’s beloved Transporter Bridge.

Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Welsh Government, and the Wolfson Foundation, with the council also making a financial contribution, the project consists of two distinct elements: the construction of a new visitor centre for the site, and the restoration work taking place on the world-famous bridge itself.

While work is ongoing on the bridge, the new visitor centre will be open for organised community and school group visits from January 2025, offering the people of Newport a first glance at the brilliant new facilities on offer.

The experience at the visitor centre will centre around telling the story of the Bridge and the site it sits on through the personal accounts of those who worked on its construction, as well as from those who used it to cross the river every day.

Visitors will also be offered the chance to experience an interactive version of the bridge’s walkway and, subject to the ongoing work on the bridge, those experiencing a sneak peek of the centre may also have the chance to be among the first to tread the gangway of the new walkway that extends the experience of the centre to the iconic bridge itself. 

“We are excited that we are entering into the final months; of work on the visitor centre,” said Councillor Emma Stowell-Corten, cabinet member for culture and communications.

 “With some internal work, landscaping and external works to be completed before Christmas, we’ll be getting in touch with groups from across the city before the end of the year to invite them to visit - it’s hugely important that local groups get first access to the new centre.

“This will allow us to trial how different elements of the visitor centre will work, and how groups use the space, ahead of a full opening.”

While work on the visitor centre continues, the vital restoration work of the Grade I listed bridge is also continuing, ensuring it remains an iconic part of the Newport skyline and a tribute to our city’s industrial heritage for generations to come.

The pace of the complex work on the almost-120-year-old bridge’s structure has been impacted by its susceptibility to changes in the weather, and the nature surrounding the river  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.