Partner Article

New Wearside bridge goes public

Views of the new bridge across the river Wear go on show this week for public comment.

Work is pressing ahead to develop the concept drawn up by architect Stephen Spence, and Sunderland City Council is releasing the designs and illustrations as part of the next stage of the planning process.

Phil Barrett, the council’s director of Development and Regeneration, said: “Last year the council carried out a major consultation exercise and people said that having a striking design for a new Wear bridge was very important.

“There’s now the opportunity, especially for those in Sunderland who live near to where the bridge would be built, to comment on these plans.”

The bridge and its approach roads form the first stage of a new road link from the A19 into central Sunderland.

The Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor, as it is known, is intended to cut congestion and boost business links.

But supporters of Mr Spence’s design say it is vital that Sunderland gets the “iconic” option which would put Wearside firmly on the map and create an internationally recognised symbol of Sunderland.

If it goes ahead, the structure will be the country’s tallest bridge and soar high above the city – making it visible for miles around.

Work on the bridge could be completed by 2014 – though the dates depend on final approvals and successfully gaining planning permission.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .