Debate looks at siting of new Tyne bridge

Jun 11 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

A STUDY of the world-beating array of bridges over the Tyne will be unveiled to a major conference in the North tonight – and will unveil thought-provoking proposals for the future of the river.

Delegates at the Europa Nostra event will hear ideas about how Newcastle and Gateshead might be more closely linked, as well as plans for the first river bus for commuters and a remarkable vision to create a conference centre-cum-bridge in the shape of an historic ship.

The challenge will also be thrown down about where the Tyne’s next bridge should be built.

The BridgeScape study, led by the Royal Institute of British Architects North East, features a congestion-busting commuter river bus service from the mouth of the Tyne to Newcastle and Gateshead and a replica of the famous Tyne-built liner Mauretania, which would serve as a conference centre, hotel and bridge.

The study also seeks to launch a debate on where the next bridge over the Tyne will be built, where it should be and how it should look.

Newcastle City Council leader John Shipley said: "NewcastleGateshead has a collection of bridges which is unequalled the world over.

"We need more bridges over the Tyne in the future and we need to build bridges which future generations will be proud of."

Gateshead Council leader Mick Henry said: "We have a wealth of world-class examples across the Tyne. But metaphorical bridges can bring communities closer together and can bridge social divides."

Andrew Dixon, NewcastleGateshead Initiative chief executive, said that the Gateshead Millennium Bridge was the first bridge to be built for people and leisure, made the Baltic feasible and led to the decision on the location of The Sage.

"The bridge has had a huge impact but where is the vision for our next bridge? To maintain the momentum of growth we need to start the debate now.

"What would a new bridge do now for Walker and East Gateshead? How would a bridge into the MetroCentre help regenerate the value of land in Newcastle’s West End?

"I have no doubt that we will see another bridge across the Tyne within the next decade. Perhaps we should create a challenge to local architects, developers and planners to work with business, communities and the media to start thinking about where that bridge might have the most impact."

One suggestion in the study is for a bridge downstream of the Ouseburn to link the Newcastle Central Motorway East and the Felling bypass.