New design sought for major new river bridge

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PLANS for a £118m bridge over one of the region’s most famous rivers have torn up because they are too costly.

The new Wear Crossing in Sunderland would have been the tallest bridge in England and Wales with its two towers measuring 187 metres.

But neither of the two contractors who have submitted bids to build North East-born architect Stephen Spence’s landmark design were within the council’s budget.

The council is now looking to proceed with a simpler bridge between Castletown and Pallion with cable stays that it hopes will be within budget and can be built in the timescale.

The council’s cabinet will next week be recommended to drop the original scheme and press ahead with the new version. The new bridge will carry two lanes of traffic in both directions, have dedicated cycleways and footpaths along its full length and use the same sites as the existing plan.

City council leader Paul Watson, said: “While it is initially disappointing to learn the unique design cannot be built within the budget available, we must now move forward positively towards our vision for a new Sunderland bridge, albeit by modifying our approach.

“The simplified design will continue to embrace modern and tasteful design qualities, while maximising tested engineering technology and construction techniques.

“The fact that it is of cable-stayed design means that by its nature it will have a striking quality too. “When the landmark design was first suggested, the city and the UK economy were in a very different place,” he said.

“Given the current economic climate we will not be seeking further funding, instead we must review our plans and work within our means.” Coun Watson said he believed the simplified design would win approval with the public and he said he believed the city needed a new crossing.

He said it would help the local economy and help attract new investment and jobs by opening up land for development and reducing traffic congestion.

A question mark was put over the project in February when two bidders withdrew amid fears about escalating costs.