Warwickshire News Mine

This marks the launch of an extensive consultation as part of a competition to come up with a world class design for a new pedestrian and cycle footbridge in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The public will now have the opportunity to view and give comments on the designs at a series of public exhibitions, kicking off on the August Bank Holiday weekend and running for eight weeks at locations around Stratford.

The designs will be available to view on Warwickshire County Council’s web pages at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/stratfordbridge from Friday and the response questionnaire from Sunday.

Dates already booked for consultation events include Sunday and Monday, August 27 and 28 from 11am until 4pm at Bancroft Gardens; on Sunday and Monday, September 3 and 4 from 11am until 4pm in Henley Street; and on Thursday and Friday, September 14 and 15 from 3pm until 8pm at the Morrisons car park.

In addition a series of stakeholder meetings are being arranged with key groups within the town.

The idea and support for a new bridge originated from Warwickshire County Council’s Local Transport Strategy consultation in 2003. Ideas were developed at the same time to improve the riverside area.  The concepts were subject to much public consultation and have adopted jointly by both Warwickshire County Council and as supplementary planning guidance by Stratford on Avon District Council as part of the Waterfront Masterplan.

It is viewed by many as a way of improving pedestrian and cycle access, particularly improving links into the town from the recreation ground and vice versa, as well as providing a circular scenic walk along the river and an important link into the national cycle network.

As a new landmark development, it is also expected to make Stratford more attractive to visitors, tourists, local visitors and residents alike.

Cllr Chris Saint, Economic Development Portfolio Holder said: “The views of the public are vital.  Now it is their turn to give us comments on the five proposals.  There will be several opportunities to see the contrasting designs. I would encourage residents, businesses and tourists alike, young and old to join in the consultation. It’s a timely opportunity to have a say on a significant proposal.”

Vicky Haywood, Executive Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, said: “We know from our own consultation on the transformation of the RSC’s theatres that the people of Stratford have great ambitions for the future of the town.

“The feedback we’ve already received from local residents, businesses and our audiences has undoubtedly led to plans for a better theatre and a building that improves the relationship between the RSC and the town.
“We cannot develop our theatres in isolation. That’s why the plans for World Class Stratford and the development of the waterfront in particular are so exciting. We look forward to the results of this important consultation, and to including our staff, actors and the RSC Community Forum in the process.”
Tony Brooker, Chairman of the Stratford Town Centre Management Partnership wants a thorough consultation.

He said: “There are many positive aspects to the proposed footbridge. It would provide pedestrians, cyclists, mums with pushchairs and wheelchair users with full access for those with disabilities across the river; be far more user friendly than the seasonal ferry (primary school children have to wear life jackets) and the present remote footbridge accessed by steep flights of steps; facilitate dispersal of visitors, reducing pedestrian congestion on the Tramway Bridge and encouraging better use of the Recreation Ground; and following the establishment of Park and Ride for long stay parking and an increase for short stay, a well located bridge would potentially reduce traffic on Clopton Bridge by up to 2,000 vehicles per day.”

Following the consultation, a panel of judges will meet in November to make a final assessment of the five designs, by which time all stages of the competition will have been completed. The judges’ choice will be based on the feedback from the public consultation, along with technical considerations.

The judges will select one of the five designs, which will be worked up in detail and submitted as a planning application in the spring. The panel judging date has been amended, to allow for a longer period of consultation.

The bridge is part of the multi million pound World Class Stratford project, for which substantial funding has already been secured from the Regional Development Agency, Advantage West Midlands. Of the £7m secured to date from AWM, £2m has been ring fenced for the new bridge.

Link to WCC