Gateshead Millennium Bridge bollards could go

Sep 19 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

UNPOPULAR bollards which are said by many to ruin the look of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge could finally be removed.

Gateshead Council’s cabinet will be asked on Tuesday to approve a proposal to remove the vessel collision protection system around the bridge at a cost of £650,000.

The bollards and metal booms were installed when the bridge was put in place in 2000 because the Port of Tyne was concerned that ships going under the bridge might hit it and cause a potential collapse.

During the design of the bridge, engineering consultants Gifford were commissioned by the council to conduct a vessel collision risk assessment.

Their report concluded a vessel collision protection system was justified based on the predicted shipping movements at that time.

To support the case for the removal of the bollards, Gifford has now reviewed the original risk assessment.

This was carried out with guidance from the Port of Tyne regarding current and future predicted shipping movements in the vicinity of the bridge.

The report concludes that the increased risk of removing the collision protection system is acceptable in view of the benefits it would bring in enhancing the setting of the bridge, provided strict navigational controls are maintained.

An alternative option would be to keep the collision protection system for the life of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge but maintenance costs would be similar to that of removing the system.

The cabinet is being recommended to remove the bollards, with savings eventually being made on the budget currently used to maintain the bollards and booms.

The Millennium Bridge has become a popular addition to the Tyne riverscape since being lifted into place in November 2000.

It has won a number of prizes and is the finishing point for the annual boat race between Newcastle and Durham universities.