A NEWPORT council boss with responsibility for the iconic Transporter Bridge is determined it should be restored to working order despite the
huge cost.
David Atwell, cabinet member for transport and highways, said the
bill for all the necessary work could be more than £2 million.
The landmark was closed in December after major faults were discovered.
It was estimated it would cost £150,000 for repairs to riveting and
bolting on the crane and the previous administration hoped work would
begin in March.
But it was then discovered that it would cost a lot more.
Cllr Atwell said no allowance had been made for expensive
scaffolding which alone would cost a lot more than £150,000 and was
essential for the work to be carried out safely.
He added some other essential repairs were not undertaken between
1989 and 1995 when £3 million was spent refurbishing the bridge.
It would now be preferable to carry out all the outstanding work at the same time.
But Cllr Atwell vowed: "We really want it to be done, there is no
doubt about it but we have got to find ways of obtaining the money."
Lottery funding could be one possible solution to the problem.
Cllr Atwell said he would be meeting with council leader Matthew
Evans, deputy leader Ed Townsend and officers in the near future to
discuss the best way forward.
He had recently received a feasibility report commissioned by the council and it needed careful consideration.
He added the bridge, which opened in 1906, was important for Wales,
not just for Newport, and was one of the city's key attractions. It was
vital to get it working again, said Cllr Atwell.