Newport Transporter Bridge

The Newport Transporter Bridge stands over the River Usk in South East Wales. It is the lowest river crossing in Newport and the only operational transporter bridge in Britain since 2019. Built in 1906, it was designed by French engineer Ferdinand Arnodin. The bridge was opened by Godfrey Charles Morgan, 1st Viscount Tredegar, on 12 September 1906. Newport Museum holds a silver cigar cutter presented to him on that day. The bridge is one of fewer than ten transporter bridges still in use worldwide. Its design was chosen because the river banks are low and an ordinary bridge would need long ramps. The towers rise 73.6 metres and the span between them is 196.56 metres. Two 35 hp electric motors drive a winch that moves the gondola at three metres per second. The bridge is a Grade I listed structure, described as the oldest and largest of its kind in Britain. Visitors can explore the visitor centre on the west bank. Exhibits cover the bridge’s history, construction and other transporter bridges. A painting of David Pearce, the undefeated Welsh and British Heavyweight Boxing Champion from 1983 to 1985, hangs in the centre. The bridge has appeared in films and music videos and was the focal point of millennium celebrations in 2000. It is also part of the National Cycle Network.