It is another sunny day despite the weather guessers advice to the contrary.
I walked round the Tees Barrage this morning and apologise to those who have seen numerous images of it in past posts.
It was completed in 1995 and keeps the level of the Tees upstream at mean high water level. It has won numerous awards from Concrete Weekly and Waterworks Monthly to name just two. Prince Phillip performed the opening ceremony and started a custom which is still practiced enthusiastically today. He threw a supermarket trolley, a lifebelt and a traffic cone into the river and declared.
“It is ones pleasure to declare this barrage open.”
It also carries the road across. This is the underside of the road.
It carries a footpath with little viewing areas where one can stop and look at things.
This is the barge lock. I have never seen a barge use it or anything else for that matter but they have started opening it at high water to let Salmon and Sea Trout up stream to spawn. There is a fish ladder but it is only small and the fish are decimated by Seals and Otters whilst trying to find it.
There were no Seals today but it didn’t stop the dogs gazing into the turbulent water in the hope of spotting one.
This is the Infinite Bridge, On a windless evening if it is lit it’s reflection on calm water makes a lemniscate or infinite sign.
I’ll have a look for some pictures of it. Or you can Use the Postvorta search engine on the right of this post to search yourself.
Have fun.
Another fine piece of architecture there Adrian, although it does seem a little 'busy' with all those circles. Then there's Lemmi's Gate bridge, looking minimalist in the extreme.
ReplyDeleteHave the local Beavers started to build a lodge? (image #7)...[;o)
Trevor, It isn't beautiful but it is practical. I would love to get a good look round it. They ought to have an open day. It used to be beautifully lit at night. Local government cuts have put paid to that but I see Tower Bridge is still lit up.
DeleteThat is just a trash boom. I haven't seen a local Beaver or a visiting one for ages. I must put it towards the top of the roundtuit pile.
HI Adrian I think the architecture is all wonderful and these shots of your are so clear. i am sure you are glad the weather has improved. I hope you have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I now have all the lenses I need. It has taken a long time to decide that zooms don't generally work well. These are still a bit soft as they are hand held HDR for the most part. I should have taken a tripod. I just felt lazy today. Tomorrow is party time. I'm helping a friend celebrate her 21st going on 80th.
DeleteWhat a lovely structure of the bridge with a very unusual underbelly. Great shots too.
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
Mersad, it is a complex and interesting structure.
DeleteIt's great to see a new structre that hasn't been given a "post-modernistic" look if you hadn't said I wouldn't have guessed it was built in 1995 straight away.
ReplyDeleteDouglas, they are good at constructing steel structures in the North East. I find the circles distracting but they are better than grey concrete.
DeleteIt looks like a great place for a wander. You captured some fine perspectives. Too bad the water wasn't calm but I can see how that reflection would look like a lemniscate. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteHilary there is a picture HERE
DeleteI'm guessing a barrage is what we call a damn with a hydro-electric unit. You still do these with style. Truthfully I don't think we ever did them with style. The oldest one around here is Wilson Damn. It was built around the time of World War I and it is plain.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are good as always. I particularly like the last three.
David, it isn't really a dam. It could generate electricity for about twelve hours a day as the tide drops. They haven't installed turbines so it doesn't.
DeleteIt is there to control fresh water levels in the Tees and to stop exceptional tides flooding up stream.
I had a brother-in-law whose aim was to photograph every bridge in Britain. I sometimes wonder if he succeeded. He never married so probably did. I suppose if you need a purpose in life it's as good as any. When I see this group I can see why he was so taken with them. Or it might have had something to do with the fact that he was a bridge engineer.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a tremendous achievement. I suspect it would take more than one lifetime.
DeleteBeautiful bridges Adrian.
ReplyDeleteThey are Bob.
DeleteI really enjoyed this post Adrian. It is good to see that some things are universal, like dumping shopping trolleys in our waterways. The council workers recently cleared the creek at the back of my house and sure enough there was a shopping trolley in there. It is miles to the nearest supermarket.
ReplyDeletePrince Philip must have been to Cairns.
DeleteThe seals and otters are super opportunists. They can exploit a trap any place. There are some complicated bridges and water controls.
ReplyDeleteRed, Holland is the place to go. The Dutch are masters of water control.
DeleteI find it fascinating. Barrage on rivers or lakes are always so inspired for me. This barrage-bridge is amazing, very wide and artistic
ReplyDeleteLaura, it is a favourite place for me.
DeleteAn interesting bridge Adrian. Some great shape patterns.
ReplyDeleteJohn, it is a bit busy to be perfect. It could have been a whole lot less attractive though.
DeleteI really like the composition of your images here!! and this looks like a great place!!
ReplyDeleteAnnie, Stockton and Middlesbrough are living proof that looks can be deceiving. Few agree with me or understand why I keep returning. The area is very depressed and poor. I like the people and the effort they make. The towns do reflect this if one looks behind the obvious degeneration.
DeleteNow that I see it. It is an excellent post. The bridge is a marvel. I Like!!!
ReplyDeleteLaura, it is beautiful.
DeleteThese are truly architectural marvels, well, now I can see that engineering side of you shining through! Great HDR quality also.
ReplyDeleteMaria, I enjoy them and unlike wildlife they can't run away or fly off.
DeleteI keep meaning to pay it a visit to see what it's all about, I'll need to see if I can find a supermarket trolley that'll fit in my car first ! Last time I went for a run out down there I only got as far as Hartlepool.
ReplyDeleteJay, a few traffic cones would do. It looks at it's best at night. It has to be a calm night.
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