Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Environment and the Director of Environment and Community Services submitted a report for the Executive’s consideration. The purpose of the report was to provide information on the current status of the Transporter Bridge, highlight what works were initially required and to seek approval/endorsement to identify funds and to carry out initial repairs.

A 10 year maintenance plan was required and was included at paragraph 10 of the submitted report.

Future potential options for the future of the Transporter Bridge were detailed in the submitted report in ascending order of structural intervention and depended upon the anticipated use of the bridge. All bridge operating options would still require the implementation of a 10 year maintenance plan, which in addition to the costs identified would require a maintenance/repair and inspection regime. The two options contained in the submitted report were as follows:

·        Option 1: leisure and cultural attraction with gondola suspended from the bridge (retaining lift and high level access) - further details and the cost implications of the 10 year maintenance plan were provided at paragraph 14 of the submitted report.

·        Option 2: continue to use bridge as an operational Transport Bridge and leisure and cultural attraction – further details and the cost implications for 10 year maintenance plan were provided at paragraphs 15 to 21 of the submitted report

The Mayor advised that a Transporter Bridge Working Group was being established and a founding member was a local historian, Tosh Warwick. Those who were passionate about the bridge were encouraged to engage with the group.

OPTIONS

Not approve the capital investment in the Transporter Bridge - that had not been recommended as the bridge in its current condition could not be used for operational or recreational purposes. Not carrying out the necessary inspection or repair works would have had a detrimental effect on the ongoing structural stability of the bridge. Further temporary mitigations to maintain the bridge in a safe condition were not designed to be more than short term temporary solutions.

ORDERED

1.      That the immediate capital funding, to carry out the essential structural repair works required to ensure the Transporter Bridge remains structurally stable, be approved.

2.      That a consultation on the proposed future operating models of the bridge be undertaken.

REASONS

Completion of the inspections, and carrying out the immediate repair works identified, would fulfil the Council’s statutory duty to maintain its infrastructure, and also ensure that the Transporter Bridge could either return to use or remain as a tourist attraction and historic landmark for the foreseeable future.