Do you want to get across in real style?
Sep 6 2008 by Paul James, The Journal
THE people of Sunderland will be asked to decide on the design of the new bridge for the River Wear – and how much they want to spend on it.
A roadshow on the options for the bridge will tour Wearside from next week, featuring the various designs for a crossing between the A1231 Wessington Way and Pallion.
One, exclusively revealed in The Journal on Monday, is Stephen Spence’s “iconic” bridge, for which Sunderland Council would have to stump up millions. Money for a new river crossing has already been secured from the Department for Transport, which has pledged £98m for a bridge and new approach roads.
Additional cash has been pledged by development agency One NorthEast, if Sunderland decides to go with the more ambitious design.
Now council tax payers will be asked if they want the local authority to splash out on a more impressive bridge, or go with a cheaper design for which all the money is already there.
The current proposal is for construction to take place in the autumn of 2011.
The 350m structure (1,150ft), would have two lanes of traffic moving in each direction, plus space for cyclists and pedestrians.
It would form part of the new Sunderland strategic transport corridor, linking the south bank of the Wear to the A1231 and A19.
As well as the public meetings being planned, a new city council website – www.sunderland.gov.uk/newbridge – will open next week. A council statement said: “People in Sunderland are being asked what is most important to them about a new Wear bridge.
“Comments from the public will help shape Sunderland City Council’s decision later this year on what type of bridge and roads can be built between Wessington Way (A1231) and Pallion New Road.”
Comments can be given at any Sunderland Customer Service Centre from Wednesday until Friday, September 19.
The roadshow will start at the Galleries shopping centre in Washington, from Thursday until Saturday, then move to Morrisons supermarket in Seaburn, from Sunday, September 14, to Tuesday, September 16.
Council staff will be in the Bridges shopping centre in Sunderland from Thursday, September 18, to Sunday, September 21, at Hylton Riverside Retail Park on Friday, September 12, 1pm-3.30pm, and at Pallion Road Retail Park on Tuesday, September 16, 10am-4pm.
Alternatively anyone wishing to comment can call (0191) 520-5555 during normal office hours.
