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In 2008, there was a public consultation on the bridge designs by Sunderland City Council to see if the public would consider the iconic design, or a more basic beam bridge design .<ref name="scc">{{cite web|url=http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/newbridge/|title=A new bridge for Sunderland.... |publisher=Sunderland City Council|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref> After the consultation, the results shown that a great deal of people in the [[City of Sunderland|Sunderland]] area were in favour of the 'iconic' design,<ref name="scc2">{{cite web|url=http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/showFeature.asp?Feature=152|title=New Wear Bridge Decision|publisher=Sunderland City Council|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref><ref name="arc2">{{cite web|url=http://www.sunderlandarc.co.uk/regeneration-projects-news.aspx?id=294&project=8|title=Communities give their bridge views|date=2009-07-10|publisher=Sunderland ARC|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref> with the council also backing the ideas<ref name="nce">{{cite news|url=http://www.nce.co.uk/council-backs-iconic-wear-bridge-despite-the-expense/1935232.article|title=Council backs iconic Wear bridge despite the expense|date=2008-11-26|work=New Civil Engineer|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref> meaning plans for a cheaper beam bridge were shelved. The council ultimately believing that the iconic design bridge could help attract more businesses to the city and thus create more jobs.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/8235463.stm|title=Bridge will be England's tallest |date=2009-09-03|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref>
In 2008, there was a public consultation on the bridge designs by Sunderland City Council to see if the public would consider the iconic design, or a more basic beam bridge design .<ref name="scc">{{cite web|url=http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/newbridge/|title=A new bridge for Sunderland.... |publisher=Sunderland City Council|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref> After the consultation, the results shown that a great deal of people in the [[City of Sunderland|Sunderland]] area were in favour of the 'iconic' design,<ref name="scc2">{{cite web|url=http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/showFeature.asp?Feature=152|title=New Wear Bridge Decision|publisher=Sunderland City Council|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref><ref name="arc2">{{cite web|url=http://www.sunderlandarc.co.uk/regeneration-projects-news.aspx?id=294&project=8|title=Communities give their bridge views|date=2009-07-10|publisher=Sunderland ARC|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref> with the council also backing the ideas<ref name="nce">{{cite news|url=http://www.nce.co.uk/council-backs-iconic-wear-bridge-despite-the-expense/1935232.article|title=Council backs iconic Wear bridge despite the expense|date=2008-11-26|work=New Civil Engineer|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref> meaning plans for a cheaper beam bridge were shelved. The council ultimately believing that the iconic design bridge could help attract more businesses to the city and thus create more jobs.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/8235463.stm|title=Bridge will be England's tallest |date=2009-09-03|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref>


On 3 September 2009, Sunderland City Coucil announced that in the upcoming week they would be finalizing the decision on whether to approve plans for the bridge, with the council mostly supporting the ideas.<ref name="nce2">{{cite news|url=http://www.nce.co.uk/news/structures/council-to-decide-on-new-wear-bridge/5207516.article|title=Council to decide on new Wear Bridge|date=2009-09-03|work=New Civil Engineer|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref> Should the plans go ahead, then the United Kingdom government have already announced £93 million towards the construction,<ref name="arc3">{{cite web|url=http://www.sunderlandarc.co.uk/regeneration-projects-news.aspx?id=258&project=8|title=Funding for new Wear crossing approved|date=2008-07-31|publisher=Sunderland ARC|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref> whilst regional development agency [[One NorthEast]] will pledge another £8.5 million towards it, with the council funding the other £23 million required.<ref name="echo">{{cite news|url=http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/133m-iconic-bridge-a-step.5614495.jp|title=£133m iconic bridge a step closer|date=2009-09-03|work=[[Sunderland Echo]]|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref>
On 3 September 2009, Sunderland City Council announced that in the next week they would be finalizing the decision on whether building the landmark bridge became council policy.<ref name="nce2">{{cite news|url=http://www.nce.co.uk/news/structures/council-to-decide-on-new-wear-bridge/5207516.article|title=Council to decide on new Wear Bridge|date=2009-09-03|work=New Civil Engineer|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref> Should the plans go ahead, then the United Kingdom government have already announced £93 million towards the construction,<ref name="arc3">{{cite web|url=http://www.sunderlandarc.co.uk/regeneration-projects-news.aspx?id=258&project=8|title=Funding for new Wear crossing approved|date=2008-07-31|publisher=Sunderland ARC|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref> whilst regional development agency [[One NorthEast]] will pledge another £8.5 million towards it, with the council funding the other £23 million required.<ref name="echo">{{cite news|url=http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/133m-iconic-bridge-a-step.5614495.jp|title=£133m iconic bridge a step closer|date=2009-09-03|work=[[Sunderland Echo]]|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref>


An official planning application is now being prepared though a name has not yet been given to the future structure. Construction is timetabled to start around 2012.<ref name="new">{{cite news|url=http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/news/article/striking-design-for-new-wear-bridge/|title=Striking design for new Wear bridge|date=2009-07-10|work=New Start|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref> The decision for building the Spence landmark design became [[City of Sunderland|Sunderland]] city council policy on [[9 September]] [[2009]].<ref name="robertson">{{cite news|url=http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/39People39s-bridge39gets-the-goahead.5636441.jp|title='People's bridge'gets the go-ahead|last=Robertson|first=Ross|date=2009-09-10|work=Sunderland Echo|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref> On November 2009, public notices on the compulsory purchase of land and new rights for the project were published including side roads orders and bridge schemes notices, made under the ''Highways Act 1980''. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/newbridge|title=New Wear Bridge|publisher=Sunderland City Council|accessdate=2009-11-06}}</ref> On [[1 April]] [[2009]], the [[Sunderland Echo]] make an [[April Fools' Day]] joke article, stating that the cables of the new wear bridge were designed to sway in the wind to create the tune of the [[Blaydon Races]], a [[Tyneside]] song.<ref name="clark">{{cite news|url=http://www.sunderlandecho.com/video/APRIL-FOOL-Wear-bridge-will.5125422.jp|title=APRIL FOOL! Wear bridge will play Newcastle anthem|last=Clark|first=Kevin|date=2009-03-31|work=Sunderland Echo|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref>
An official planning application is now being prepared though a name has not yet been given. Construction is timetabled to start around 2012.<ref name="new">{{cite news|url=http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/news/article/striking-design-for-new-wear-bridge/|title=Striking design for new Wear bridge|date=2009-07-10|work=New Start|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref> The decision for building the Spence landmark design became [[City of Sunderland|Sunderland]] City Council policy on [[9 September]] [[2009]].<ref name="robertson">{{cite news|url=http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/39People39s-bridge39gets-the-goahead.5636441.jp|title='People's bridge'gets the go-ahead|last=Robertson|first=Ross|date=2009-09-10|work=Sunderland Echo|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref> On November 2009, public notices on the compulsory purchase of land and new rights for the project were published including side roads orders and bridge schemes notices, made under the ''Highways Act 1980''. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/newbridge|title=New Wear Bridge|publisher=Sunderland City Council|accessdate=2009-11-06}}</ref> On [[1 April]] [[2009]], the [[Sunderland Echo]] make an [[April Fools' Day]] joke article, stating that the cables of the new wear bridge were designed to sway in the wind to create the tune of the [[Blaydon Races]], a [[Tyneside]] song.<ref name="clark">{{cite news|url=http://www.sunderlandecho.com/video/APRIL-FOOL-Wear-bridge-will.5125422.jp|title=APRIL FOOL! Wear bridge will play Newcastle anthem|last=Clark|first=Kevin|date=2009-03-31|work=Sunderland Echo|accessdate=2009-10-08}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 15:08, 16 November 2009

New Wear Bridge
Coordinates54°55′00″N 1°25′28″W / 54.9167°N 1.4244°W / 54.9167; -1.4244
Carriesdual carriage Way, pedestrian,cycling
CrossesRiver Wear,
LocaleSunderland, England, United Kingdom
Official nameNew Wear Crossing
Characteristics
Designcable stay bridge
MaterialStainless steel and reinforced concrete
Total length336 metres (1,102 ft)
Width25 metres (82 ft)
Height180 metres (591 ft)
Longest span240 metres (787 ft)
Piers in water1
History
DesignerSpence Associates / Techniker
Construction start2012
Location
Map

A New Wear Bridge is planned for Sunderland, North East England. The proposed design stands at 180 metres (590 ft), which when constructed will make it the tallest bridge in the United Kingdom.[1] Originally designed by Spence Associates Architects in 2005, the plans were kept confidential for several years due funding uncertainties. However following the United Kingdom treasury's agreement to fund a new river wear crossing, the plans of the bridge became the subject to a public consultation against a far cheaper beam bridge design. The result was that cable stayed design proved the most popular amongst the public and as a result this became the plans of the local council.

Specifications

The Bridge is likely to be constructed to the west side of the city on the River Wear, linking the A19 and A1231 roads with the purpose of reducing traffic congestion[2]. The bridge was designed by Spence Associates and Techniker, and has been tipped to become a landmark for the city.[3] The bridge was designed in 2005, though was kept confidential for several years by the city council to avoid a rise in expectations until funding was secured. Until then the council were also considering designs for a cheaper, basic design beam bridge.[4] The estimated cost of the design being estimated at £133 million.[5].

The crossing forms part of the vast regeneration plan of the urban regeneration company Sunderland Arc, who aim to use the bridge as part of their Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor plans to improve transport links while also helping to improve the city's image.[2]

Background & History

In 2008, there was a public consultation on the bridge designs by Sunderland City Council to see if the public would consider the iconic design, or a more basic beam bridge design .[6] After the consultation, the results shown that a great deal of people in the Sunderland area were in favour of the 'iconic' design,[7][8] with the council also backing the ideas[9] meaning plans for a cheaper beam bridge were shelved. The council ultimately believing that the iconic design bridge could help attract more businesses to the city and thus create more jobs.[10]

On 3 September 2009, Sunderland City Council announced that in the next week they would be finalizing the decision on whether building the landmark bridge became council policy.[11] Should the plans go ahead, then the United Kingdom government have already announced £93 million towards the construction,[12] whilst regional development agency One NorthEast will pledge another £8.5 million towards it, with the council funding the other £23 million required.[13]

An official planning application is now being prepared though a name has not yet been given. Construction is timetabled to start around 2012.[14] The decision for building the Spence landmark design became Sunderland City Council policy on 9 September 2009.[15] On November 2009, public notices on the compulsory purchase of land and new rights for the project were published including side roads orders and bridge schemes notices, made under the Highways Act 1980. [16] On 1 April 2009, the Sunderland Echo make an April Fools' Day joke article, stating that the cables of the new wear bridge were designed to sway in the wind to create the tune of the Blaydon Races, a Tyneside song.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ Hoyland, Trevor (2008-12-01). "Next step in road to iconic Wear bridge". Sunderland Echo. Johnston Press. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  2. ^ a b "Regeneration projects: SSTC". Sunderland ARC. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  3. ^ James, Paul (2008-11-20). "Landmark Wear bridge to be Sunderland's symbol". The Journal. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  4. ^ Vaughan, Richard (2008-09-12). "Spence Associates' Wear Bridge comes face to face with 'basic' rival". The Architects' Journal. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  5. ^ "Sunderland City Council: A new bridge for Sunderland". Sunderland City Council. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  6. ^ "A new bridge for Sunderland..." Sunderland City Council. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  7. ^ "New Wear Bridge Decision". Sunderland City Council. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  8. ^ "Communities give their bridge views". Sunderland ARC. 2009-07-10. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  9. ^ "Council backs iconic Wear bridge despite the expense". New Civil Engineer. 2008-11-26. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  10. ^ "Bridge will be England's tallest". BBC. 2009-09-03. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  11. ^ "Council to decide on new Wear Bridge". New Civil Engineer. 2009-09-03. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  12. ^ "Funding for new Wear crossing approved". Sunderland ARC. 2008-07-31. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  13. ^ "£133m iconic bridge a step closer". Sunderland Echo. 2009-09-03. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  14. ^ "Striking design for new Wear bridge". New Start. 2009-07-10. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  15. ^ Robertson, Ross (2009-09-10). "'People's bridge'gets the go-ahead". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  16. ^ "New Wear Bridge". Sunderland City Council. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  17. ^ Clark, Kevin (2009-03-31). "APRIL FOOL! Wear bridge will play Newcastle anthem". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 2009-10-08.


Next bridge upstream River Wear Next bridge downstream
Hylton Viaduct Northern Spire Bridge
Grid reference NZ369581
Queen Alexandra Bridge