Northern Spire Bridge

Last updated

Northern Spire Bridge
NorthernSpire2018 (cropped).jpg
The Bridge shortly after opening.  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Coordinates 54°55′00″N1°25′28″W / 54.9167°N 1.4244°W / 54.9167; -1.4244
OS grid reference NZ369581
Owner Sunderland City Council   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Website sunderland.gov.uk/article/14608/Northern-Spire   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Next upstream Hylton Viaduct   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Next downstream Queen Alexandra Bridge   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Characteristics
Design Cable-stayed bridge
Piers in water1
No. of lanes 4
History
Construction startMay 2015
Construction end2018
Location
Northern Spire Bridge

The Northern Spire Bridge is a bridge over the River Wear in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England. The crossing opened to pedestrians on 28 August 2018, before opening to traffic the next day. A two span cable-stayed structure, construction began in May 2015, overseen by Farrans Construction and Victor Buyck Steel Construction.

Contents

A crossing had been proposed as early as 2005, however financial uncertainties caused significant delay until funding was approved by HM Treasury. Originally an ambitious design was selected, but was later dropped after several contractors withdrew. [1] In 2014, the project switched to a cheaper cable-stayed design.

Specifications

The bridge has been constructed to the west side of the city over the River Wear, with the purpose of reducing traffic congestion. [2] It was designed by Spence Associates in partnership with structural engineering firm Techniker. [3] The bridge was first designed in 2005, but it was kept confidential for several years by the City Council to avoid a rise in expectations until funding was secured. The council was also considering plans for a cheaper, basic beam bridge design. [4] The cost of the Spence design was estimated at £133 million for the bridge and the associated approaches and roadworks. [5]

The crossing forms part of the regeneration plan produced by Sunderland Arc, whose aim was to use the bridge as part of a Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor to improve transport links and to improve the city's image. [2] In 2017, following a public consultation and vote, the crossing was named the Northern Spire Bridge out of three shortlisted names. [6]

Background and history

In 2003, the urban regeneration company, Sunderland Arc commissioned the engineering firm Arup to assist with finding a suitable location for the siting of a new road bridge over the River Wear. In 2004, the Canadian-American Architect Frank Gehry undertook a study for this new river crossing. An international design competition was organised by Sunderland Arc in 2005. Several submissions were made, including one by Frank Gehry, but it was the cable-stayed design of Spence Associated that won. [7]

In 2008, Sunderland City Council held a public consultation on the designs to see if the public would prefer the Spence design to a more basic beam bridge. [8] The consultation showed that people in the Sunderland area were in favour of the Spence design. [9] [10] The council decided to back the Spence design and abandon the cheaper beam bridge option. [11] They justified their decision on the grounds that the more ambitious design would attract more businesses to the city and thus create more jobs. [12] The United Kingdom government then announced a contribution of £93 million towards construction [13] and the regional development agency One NorthEast pledged another £8.5 million, with the council funding the remaining £23 million required. [14]

The decision to build the Spence design became official Sunderland City Council policy on 9 September 2009. [15] In November 2009, public notices on the compulsory purchase of land and new rights for the project were published including side roads orders and bridge schemes notices, made under the Highways Act 1980. [16] An official planning application [17] was placed with Sunderland City Council on 7 December 2009 with a consultation expiry date of 29 October 2010. Construction was timetabled to start around 2012. [18]

On 26 May 2010, Sunderland City Council approved the planning application and the project appeared ready to go ahead. [17] However, by July 2013 construction still had not begun, due to difficulty in producing the design at the approved funding level; several contractors withdrew from the project. [19] This led to a reassessment of the design, which dropped the Spence plan in favour of a simpler cable-stayed design. [20]

Roughan & O’Donovan and BuroHappold Engineering delivered the preliminary and detailed design of the bridge with Yee Associates as architectural consultants. [21]

Between 10 and 11 February 2017, the central A-frame pylon (fabricated in Ghent, Belgium by Victor Buyck Steel Construction) [22] [23] was installed which stands at a height of 105 m (344 ft), making it the tallest structure in Sunderland.

The raising of the single bridge pylon marked the culmination of two years of design and planning, as well as twelve months of fabricating.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunderland</span> City in Tyne and Wear, England

Sunderland is a port city in Tyne and Wear, England. It is a port at the mouth of the River Wear on the North Sea, approximately 10 miles (16 km) south-east of Newcastle upon Tyne. The built-up area had a population of 168,277 at the 2021 census, making it the second largest settlement in North East England after Newcastle. It is the administrative centre of the metropolitan borough of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peterlee</span> Town in County Durham, England

Peterlee is a town in County Durham, England. It is located south of Sunderland, north of Hartlepool, west of the Durham Coast and east of Durham. It gained town status in 1948 under the New Towns Act 1946. The act also created the nearby settlement of Newton Aycliffe and later Washington, Tyne and Wear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newcastle railway station</span> Mainline railway station in Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Newcastle station is a railway station in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, United Kingdom. It is located on the East Coast Main Line, around 268 miles (432 km) north of London King's Cross. It is the primary national rail station serving Newcastle upon Tyne and is an interchange for local services provided by the Tyne and Wear Metro network whose Central Station is situated beneath the national rail station. It is the busiest station in Tyne & Wear, as well as the busiest in North East England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leamside line</span> Former railway line in North East England

The Leamside Line, originally part of the Durham Junction Railway, is a disused railway line, located in the North East of England. The alignment diverges from the East Coast Main Line at Tursdale Junction, travelling a distance of 21 miles north through the Durham Coalfield and Washington, prior to joining the Durham Coast Line at Pelaw Junction. The Leamside Line closed to passenger traffic in 1964, under the Beeching cuts.

<i>Sunderland Echo</i> UK newspaper serving the areas of Sunderland and East Durham

The Sunderland Echo is a daily newspaper serving the Sunderland, South Tyneside and East Durham areas of North East England. The newspaper was founded by Samuel Storey, Edward Backhouse, Edward Temperley Gourley, Charles Palmer, Richard Ruddock, Thomas Glaholm and Thomas Scott Turnbull in 1873, as the Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette. Designed to provide a platform for the Radical views held by Storey and his partners, it was also Sunderland's first local daily paper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunderland station</span> Railway and metro station in Tyne and Wear, England

Sunderland is a railway and metro station in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England. It is on the Durham Coast Line, which runs between Middlesbrough and Newcastle, via Hartlepool. It is owned by Network Rail and managed by Northern Trains. Since 31 March 2002, the station has also been served by the Tyne and Wear Metro's Green Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Academy of Light</span>

The Academy of Light is the name of the UEFA five star certified training facilities and youth academy for English football club Sunderland A.F.C.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lower Thames Crossing</span> Proposed route crossing the River Thames

The Lower Thames Crossing is a proposed road crossing of the Thames estuary downstream of the Dartford Crossing that links the counties of Kent and Essex, and its proposed approaches. If built it would pass through the districts of Thurrock and Gravesham, supplementing the Dartford route. The approximately 14.3-mile (23.0 km) route is being assessed by the Planning Inspectorate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A183 road (England)</span> Road in Tyne & Wear

The A183 road runs from South Shields in Tyne and Wear, through Sunderland and ends at Chester-le-Street in County Durham. It is a major route in South Tyneside, Sunderland and Chester-le-Street serving many areas and landmarks along its route.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A1231 road</span> Road in Tyne and Wear, England

The A1231 road connects Sunderland and Washington in Tyne and Wear, North East England. It is the main road connecting these towns and is one of the main roads giving access to Sunderland city centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monkwearmouth Railway Bridge</span> Bridge in Wearside

Monkwearmouth Railway Bridge is a railway bridge built in 1879, crossing the River Wear at Sunderland and Monkwearmouth. The bridge lies adjacent to and upstream of the Wearmouth Road Bridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Partnership House</span> Offices in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Partnership House is a landmark tower office building in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. It is located within the Regent Centre business park, and was originally built to act as the main entrance and landmark building within the headquarters complex of the Northern Rock bank, prior to its near-collapse and nationalisation. It lies in the West Gosforth council ward. The building is owned by the local council, Newcastle City Council, whereas the majority of the Regent Centre buildings are owned by Omnia.

There have been number of proposed developments in City of Sunderland in England aimed at supporting its revitalisation. Although the majority of the schemes have not progressed past initial consultation phase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keel Square</span> City Square in Tyne and Wear, England

Keel Square is a public space and boulevard based in Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, completed in 2015. Located to the north of the City Centre opposite the Vaux Site, the square was constructed as part of the larger St. Mary's Way redevelopment. The total cost of the project amounts to £11.8 million. A celebration of Sunderland's maritime and industrial heritage, the square's name was decided by the city's residents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alyson Dixon</span> English long-distance-runner

Alyson Dixon is an English long-distance runner.

The Vaux Site is an area of brownfield land in the centre of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear currently undergoing development. The area of the former Vaux Breweries until its closure in 1999, the council are recreating the site in a multi-million pound joint venture with Carillion. The development will create up to 19 new buildings for leisure, retail, living and office purposes. Phase one of construction started in 2016 with work on a series of offices valued at £25 million

The Vaux Bridge is a future pedestrian and cycle footbridge planned for construction over the River Wear in Sunderland. It will link the city's Vaux Site with the adjacent area of Monkwearmouth and the Stadium of Light. The bridge was confirmed to be part of a £500 million redevelopment deal to Sunderland City announced in November 2019 by Legal & General.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunderland Bridge (village)</span> Human settlement in England

Sunderland Bridge is a village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Croxdale and Hett, in the County Durham district, in the ceremonial county of Durham, England. It is about 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Durham city. In 1961 the parish had a population of 907.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunderland Civic Centre</span> Municipal building in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England

Sunderland Civic Centre was a municipal building in the Burdon Road in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England. It was the headquarters of Sunderland City Council until November 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City Hall, Sunderland</span> Municipal building in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England

City Hall is a municipal building in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England. It is located on the Vaux Site, adjacent to Keel Square, and was opened in November 2021. It is the headquarters of Sunderland City Council.

References

  1. ↑ Hoyland, Trevor (1 December 2008). "Next step in road to iconic Wear bridge". Sunderland Echo . Johnston Press. ISSN   0963-8997 . Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  2. 1 2 "Regeneration projects: SSTC". Sunderland Arc . Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  3. ↑ James, Paul (20 November 2008). "Landmark Wear bridge to be Sunderland's symbol". The Journal . Newcastle upon Tyne: Trinity Mirror . Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  4. ↑ Vaughan, Richard (12 September 2008). "Spence Associates' Wear Bridge comes face to face with 'basic' rival". Architects' Journal . London: Metropolis International. ISSN   0003-8466 . Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  5. ↑ "A new bridge for Sunderland". Sunderland City Council. Archived from the original on 18 November 2009. Retrieved 15 November 2009.
  6. ↑ "England's new Sunderland Bridge renamed Northern Spire | World Highways". www.worldhighways.com. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  7. ↑ Vaughan, Richard. "Spence Associates' 'iconic' Wear Bridge comes face to face with 'basic' rival". Architects Journal. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  8. ↑ "A new bridge for Sunderland". Sunderland City Council. Archived from the original on 18 November 2009. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  9. ↑ "New Wear Bridge Decision". Sunderland City Council. Archived from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  10. ↑ "Communities give their bridge views". Sunderland Arc. 10 July 2009. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  11. ↑ "Council backs iconic Wear bridge despite the expense". New Civil Engineer . Metropolis International. 26 November 2008. ISSN   0307-7683 . Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  12. ↑ "Bridge will be England's tallest". BBC News . BBC. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  13. ↑ "Funding for new Wear crossing approved". Sunderland Arc. 31 July 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  14. ↑ "£133m iconic bridge a step closer". Sunderland Echo . Johnston Press. 3 September 2009. ISSN   0963-8997 . Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  15. ↑ Robertson, Ross (10 September 2009). "'People's bridge'gets the go-ahead". Sunderland Echo . Johnston Press. ISSN   0963-8997 . Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  16. ↑ "New Wear Bridge". Sunderland City Council. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
  17. 1 2 "09/04661/LAP Planning Application". Sunderland City Council. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  18. ↑ "Striking design for new Wear bridge". New Start. 10 July 2009. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  19. ↑ "Sunderland City Council scraps plan to build £118million bridge across the Wear". Sunderland Echo . Johnston Press. 14 July 2014. ISSN   0963-8997 . Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  20. ↑ "How the new £118m Sunderland bridge might look". Sunderland Echo . Johnston Press. 4 May 2014. ISSN   0963-8997 . Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  21. ↑ Yee, Ronald (2021). The architecture of Britain's Bridges. Marlborough: Crowood Press. pp. 158–9. ISBN   978-1-78500-794-1.
  22. ↑ "England's new Sunderland Bridge renamed Northern Spire | World Highways". www.worldhighways.com. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  23. ↑ "Timetable - Sunderland City Council". www.sunderland.gov.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
Next bridge upstream River Wear Next bridge downstream
Hylton Viaduct
 A19  		Northern Spire Bridge
Grid reference NZ369581 		Queen Alexandra Bridge
 B1539 
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.