Iconic bridge is forced to close

Teesside's iconic Transporter Bridge has been forced to close after one of its ageing parts failed.

The bridge, which was opened in 1911, is one of only eight working transporter bridges worldwide, two of which are in the UK.

Officials were forced to close the bridge on Thursday afternoon due to the failure of an electrical coil.

Middlesbrough Council said it would be a "challenging task" for engineers to find a suitable replacement.

A spokesman said: "Many of the electrical components on the bridge have been in place for many years and sourcing a replacement coil is a challenging task for the maintenance staff on the bridge.

"Every effort is being made to obtain a replacement component and Middlesbrough Council apologise for the inconvenience caused."

Two hundred people, or six cars, can be carried across the River Tees in about 90 seconds by the travelling "gondola", which is suspended on a platform and pulled by two cables.

Foundation stones of Aberdeen granite were laid on 3 August 1910 with the £84,999 bridge completed on 17 October of the following year.

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