AS the closure of one of the region’s leading businesses edges closer, work is underway to preserve historic artefacts tied to the former industry powerhouse Cleveland Bridge.
Last Thursday marked the end of an era after 144 years, when the final load left the factory on Yarm Road, Darlington, just after 5pm.
A global search by administrators to find a buyer willing to take on a £21million mountain of debt proved unsuccessful, despite Cleveland Bridge’s formidable reputation.
The business is renowned over the world for its iconic structures - from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Wembley Arch - but is now just days away from closure due to financial difficulties.
Peter Gibson MP for Darlington and Paul Howell MP for Sedgefield, have worked with administrators to ensure that the memorial plaques, which commemorate people who died at war while employed by Cleveland Bridge, are preserved.
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Working with administrators, the MPs have ensured that these plaques will be transferred to the care of the council and displayed in an appropriate place within the borough.
Mr Gibson said: “The sad demise of Cleveland Bridge threw up a number of items of historic importance and I’m delighted that the administrators were keen to work with us to ensure they were maintained.
“The archives of this historic business will be preserved and the hugely important memorial plaques to the fallen in the. World wars from Cleveland Bridge will be preserved in perpetuity.
“The plaques will be handed to Darlington Borough Council and I hope that they will be erected in a suitable place in the town.
“Whilst this company may no longer exist the sacrifice of its former employees will never be forgotten in Darlington.”
Read more: When Darlington's Cleveland Bridge contents will be auctioned off
Mr Howell added: “These archives and plaques are poignant to so many people and I am delighted to work with Peter and the administrators in preserving them.
“It is important that as much as possible of the history of this amazing company and its links to our town are not forgotten and my thanks go to the administrators for their consideration and I am sure the council will give them due prominence”
A property and asset sale will take place on November 10 and offers the chance to purchase the contents of the factory.
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