Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge
The iconic Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge in Teeside hosts a festival day every year. Members of the public were allowed onto the 1911 bridge during the weekend of the 13th and 14th September. Dave McDonnell approached the council who run the bridge to ask if UK Pro BASE could do some demonstration BASE jumps. The council said yes and after an on-site risk assessment, plans were developed further. Land adjoining the bridge was not owned by the council, so permissions had to be sought from Wiltern Engineering and Able UK. They both kindly said yes and the demo was on.Practice jumps were arranged for the Friday before and 5 jumpers were able to make 1 practice jump each from the South shore at an exit height of 160ft. Rope access was kindly provided by Mark Hodgson from Teeside Adventure Sports allowing access to the top at a height of 225ft. However the rains came which put a stop to further practice jumps.
Jumps were planned for the opening of Festival day at 10:00am. Again unfortunately the weather was inclement and it was not until around noon that 3 of the UK Pro BASE team were able to make their display jumps. Lulls in the wind allowed 3 well executed jumps in to the North side belonging to Wilton Engineering. The crowds were watching from the other side of the Tees river and enjoyed the display.
Thanks again go to all those who supported Festival day.
Northern Echo
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Evening Gazette
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Photos to be posted here soon.
