THE anticipated reopening of one of the region’s most iconic landmarks is facing a further delay after a subcontractor went into administration.

It had been hoped that the Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough would reopen this month following a £2.6m Heritage Lottery Fund upgrade and repainting of the structure, supported by Local Transport Plan funding.

However, no work could be progressed over the Christmas period after subcontractor SBV Fabrications went into administration in late December.

Main contractor Balfour Beatty is now looking to find someone else to complete the final stages of the project.

It is the latest setback in what was originally planned as an eight-month closure to overhaul and upgrade the bridge, install a new lift and visitor centre.

Following an inspection, it is hoped the works will be substantially complete by the end of January, with the gondola planned to start operating during February.

Throughout the closure a replacement bus service has been in operation between Middlehaven, Middlesbrough, and Port Clarence on the other side of the River Tees in Stockton. A timetable can be found on the bridge’s website at www.teestransporterbridge.com.

A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: “We apologise to Transporter Bridge users for the ongoing inconvenience and are grateful to them for the patience they have shown during the closure.

“The circumstances resulting in the current delay could not be foreseen, and we will continue to make every effort to have the newly renovated bridge open again in the very near future.”