Bouncy birthday set for the Transporter
The Tees Transporter Bridge is set for a bouncing birthday when 100 brave-hearted thrill-seekers bungee jump from the iconic structure on the eve of its centenary.
As part of an exciting range of activities taking place to celebrate the Transporter’s 100th anniversary, the bridge will host 100 bungee jumps for the first time on Sunday October 16.
The only UK bridge licensed for bungee jumps, the Transporter attracts a steady flow of adrenalin junkies from across the country when it hosts the extreme sport two Sundays each month.
The structure is estimated to have played host to more than 7,000 bungee jumps since Evening Gazette journalist Will Sutton became the first to take a 160-feet dive from its walkway high above the River Tees in 2006.
The 100 bungee-jumping slots for the centenary celebration are being snapped up fast and fewer than 20 now remain but there’s still time for brave souls to take the plunge.
Jon Snape, managing director of the UK Bungee Club, admitted: “The Transporter is fast becoming one of the world’s most famous bungee sites but we’ve never previously managed to get through anything like 100 jumps from the bridge in a day, so it will be a real challenge.”
The birthday bungees will start at 9am on October 16, with the last leap set for 5pm, just an hour before a spectacular carnival is set to begin from Middlesbrough’s Centre Square, making its way to the riverside before a fabulous firework finale.
Jon has nothing but praise for Middlesbrough Council’s groundbreaking decision to allow bungee-jumping from the bridge five years ago.
“It took a lot of bottle from everyone at the Council to take a gamble on us when other councils wanted nothing to do with us,” he comments. “Hats off to them because even now other councils think it’s dangerous and won’t even consider it. The truth is that it’s safer than crossing the road but some people don’t see it like that.”
The craze first came to the Transporter as a result of the vision and determination of Middlesbrough Councillor John McPartland, who won the support of Mayor Ray Mallon and Principle Engineer Rodger Wakerley to help raise funds towards the building of a statue in memory of Middlesbrough FC legend Brian Clough.
“It’s gone from strength to strength over these past five years or so,” says Jon. “Doing a bungee jump is a tick-box item in people’s lives and some of them travel across the length and breadth of the country just to leap off the Transporter.
“Many of them have never previously heard of the bridge, so I’d like to think we are adding to the Transporter’s fame.
“I’m really looking forward to the centenary 100. It’s a great opportunity to give something back to the bridge because it’s been good to us and great for our business.”
To book one of the few remaining bungee spots for October 16, visit the UK Bungee. Jumps cost £75.
UK Bungee video
Zip slides in aid of MENCAP also available
Zip slides from the bridge, priced £20 each, in aid of MENCAP are also available on October 16. For more details visit MENCAP - Zip slides. Tours to the top of the bridge will be priced £3.50 each with no booking required.
Transporter bungee facts:
- In 2007, a bungee jump from the Transporter by NBC presenter Ann Curry was screened live on US breakfast TV, with Hollywood actor Tom Hanks commentating from NBC’s New York studio.
- Over the past 12 months, a record 1,600 bungee enthusiasts have braved the dizzying heights from the Transporter’s upper reaches.
- In 2010, jumpers travelled from across the UK and from as far afield as Japan, Australia and the USA, raking in £77,000 for charities and good causes.
- The popularity of bungee jumping had a knock-on effect on the local economy, with more than 5,400 spectators turning out to watch their loved ones take the plunge.
- That influx of visitors to the area generated nearly 300 hotel nights from B&B stays to chain hotels.
- UK Bungee Club MD Jon Snape wants the Transporter to be transformed into an “adrenalin centre” by 2025. He would plan to hire it 365 days a year for bungee jumping, zip slides, abseiling, climbing walls, high rope courses and as a training base for the emergency services.
Useful links
Love Middlesbrough: Key Strengths: Industrial Heritage - Transporter Bridge