Coastal Path Events & Transporter Bridge

Tides coming in...

Wales Coastal Path will open in May 2012.   Explorers will be able to walk from Chepstow in the south, following the coast for 850 miles to Queensferry in the north.   This glorious asset to Wales will display the wide variety of seascapes around our coastline.   


The gleaming mud flats of the Severn, the golden sands of Swansea, the magnificent Cathedral at St Davids, are a few which come to mind in South Wales, as well as Barmouth and Criccieth Castle in the north.

Wetland mudflats

To celebrate the opening, events are planned for Cardiff, Aberystwyth, and Flint on May 5th.  Contact Helen Howlett via email helen-howlett@monmouthshire.gov.uk.

Newport City Council are planning a

Newport 'City to Sea' Walk

on

Sunday, 6th May 11am-1pm.

extending from the Newport Transporter Bridge to the East Usk Lighthouse at Newport Wetlands, I'm sure it will provide an enjoyable experience with some fantastic photo opportunities.

See you there !    

The unusual and iconic Newport transporter bridge was opened in 1906 by Lord Tredegar.   This bridge, now one of only six of its kind still working, in the world, was designed by F. Arnodin, a Frenchman.  

To avoid obstructing the once busy shipping lanes, of the river Usk, the gondola, which carries passengers and traffic from bank to bank, is suspended on a steel structure high above the river banks.   The height above river level may, at first, appear excessive, but this river boasts one of the highest tides in the country.

Closed in 2008, a £1.2 million restoration saw the bridge reopened on 30 July 2010 and although only open for 193 days during the following year, 40,000 crossings were recorded by pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and vehicles.   But progress in the shape of the George Street Bridge and the Southern Distributor Road, opened in 1964 and 2004 respectively, swallowed 80 per cent of the bridge's traffic.  

A controversial decision by Newport Council has recently deemed the bridge a tourist attraction with changes to both the opening times and charges to come.   Access will be available to both the gondola and the overhead walkway.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newport_Transporter_Bridge

  
 Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge:   http://www.fontb.org.uk/