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More than 50 workers have been made redundant at historic Darlington engineers Cleveland Bridge.

The Darlington-based bridge builders called in administrators last month after a number of delays in ������Ƶ and overseas construction projects plunged it into severe financial difficulties.

The company was founded in 1877 and has worked on projects such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Victoria Falls Bridge and Middlesbrough’s Transporter Bridge.

Read more: Efforts continue to save 300 jobs at threatened Cleveland Bridge

More than 300 direct and contract jobs have been put at risk at the firm, whose long history includes work on some of the world’s best-known bridges and major structures, but administrators at FRP Advisory have been working to find a new buyer for the company.

Now, however, it has emerged that 53 members of staff at Cleveland Bridge have been made redundant.

Production is set to resume this week, but details of exactly when this will happen have not yet been announced.

Administrators Martyn Pullin, David Willis, and Iain Townsend confirmed that, for operational and financial reasons, 53 roles have been made redundant, saying the vast majority of roles affected are office-based.

FRP said a small group of around 25 core staff remain at work to assist the joint administrators with their duties and in anticipation of restarting production as soon as possible.

The remaining 128 roles remain furloughed as part of the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme pending the intended restart of production, while “a small handful” of staff have since left their positions voluntarily.

Mr Pullin said “We remain focused on restarting production to support clients with live project work while pushing ongoing talks with interested parties.

“Regrettably, a number of roles have been made redundant as we restructure the business. Our team is on site to support impacted staff through this difficult period and assist in making claims through the Redundancy Payments Service.”

In a joint statement following the news, Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen, Sedgefield MP Paul Howell and Darlington MP Peter Gibson said: “The news that 53 members of staff at Cleveland Bridge have been made redundant today is devastating news, and support for those workers affected at this difficult time is being provided through Darlington Borough Council.

“Since the company fell into administration last month our number one priority has been to save as many jobs as possible while a buyer for the company is found, and this remains the case.

“With production due to restart soon so that existing orders can be fulfilled, we remain optimistic that a buyer can be found for this world-leading company with a global reputation built on the expertise and skills of its workforce.

“We know the administrators are working to keep the key production staff in place with a view to complete orders in progress whilst negotiations with potential buyers continue.

“Any deal to save Cleveland Bridge must protect as many local jobs as possible, and we will continue to work with the Trade Unions, the administrators, government and potential buyers to safeguard local jobs.”

FRP Advisory confirmed that managing director Chris Droogan, who was appointed at the bridge building company in 2015, stepped down from his role last Friday, July 30.

A number of expressions of interest have been made for the company, which has been owned by the Saudi Arabian Al Rushaid Group for the last 21 years.

Martin Pullin, Partner at FRP and Joint Administrator of Cleveland Bridge ������Ƶ, said on Friday, July 30, following a meeting with trade union representatives, local MPs and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen: “We are looking to restart production and continue to hold discussions with interested parties over the future of the business.”