Due to a technical fault Newport City Council has had to suspend public access to the gondola crossings on the Transporter Bridge.
Work on repairing the fault on the bridge, which is more than 112 years old, is estimated to take about three weeks.
In the meantime visitors can still walk over the top of the iconic structure at a reduced rate of £1.50 for adults and £1 for children.
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Leader of Newport City Council Councillor Debbie Wilcox said the technical fault highlighted how necessary it was for the council to raise funds to keep the bridge running following the successful first round funding bid from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) which awarded £1 million for the project.
The council and the Friends of the Bridge, which is a registered charity, are organising events in the coming months to help the fundraising push.
“Everyone knows the iconic Newport Transporter Bridge, which is one of the city’s, and indeed Wales,’ most iconic structures.
“While we have won the first round of HLF funding we do need more help to show the fund there is support for us keeping the bridge in good working order,” said Cllr Wilcox.
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Money raised will go towards carrying out repairs to the Victorian gondola used to carry both passengers and vehicles over the River Usk and for the ongoing cost of general repairs and maintenance.
Cabinet member for Culture and Leisure Councillor Deb Harvey added: “We know the Transporter Bridge is loved by many people not only in Newport but across the world and we launched what is essentially a crowd funding scheme to ensure it stands on the banks of the River Usk for future generations to come.
“This is a piece of our history and it would be great if everyone felt this is their Transporter Bridge too and had a stake in its future. We would love to see fundraising events in schools and by local businesses as well as people making donations.
“We need to show the Heritage Lottery Fund it is not wasting its investment and we are doing our bit to raise the money.”
Anyone interested in making a contribution no matter how small can find out the details here http://www.newport.gov.uk/heritage/Transporter-Bridge/Transporter-Bridge.aspx
