Public Consultation and Judging Panel favour design B
Following two months of consultation and comments from 2,500 people, a winning design concept has been singled out for a new bridge for Stratford upon Avon.
The outcome of Warwickshire County Council’s public consultation shows that 44% of respondents show very positive support for a new bridge, with the majority of people preferring design B. 56% are not content with the proposal. A decision on whether to go ahead with the proposal has not yet been made.
The judging panel met on 9th November to consider a technical appraisal of the designs and the outcome of the public consultation, before also recommending that bridge design B should be considered further, by the County Council. Design B was submitted by Ian Ritchie Architects/Schlaich Bergerman & Partner.
One of the considerations that swung the panel was the prospect of the bridge being the ‘thinnest arch bridge in the world’. The panel also liked the fact that the design was very sensitive to the setting, being ‘modest simple and elegant’, something that many members of the public had also commented on.
Warwickshire County Council will now consider this recommendation along with the consultation results, at its meetings of the Stratford Area Committee on November 22, and Cabinet on November 23.
Cllr Chris Saint, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: "I am encouraged by the number of people who took the time and effort to give us detailed feedback on each of the designs. The consultation drew great interest.
“The consultation also showed that a lot of people had concerns, many about the lack of detail. In considering whether to proceed with the proposed bridge, the County Council will now need to review the key concerns and decide whether to progress from concept to the next stage, which would involve further public consultation, in keeping with the aims of the World Class Stratford project. I am presenting a report to Cabinet that will recommend a full County Council debate on 12th December.”
Cllr Les Topham, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, added: "The consultation has provided very valuable information, particularly regarding what the public see as important design issues which must be fully taken into account if the proposal is developed further.
“The preferred concept reflects many of the views expressed, as it’s slender design provides the least obtrusive solution. The public are, however, asking for more information, which can only be obtained if further work is done to develop the preferred design. The public should be consulted again when further details are available and before any commitment is made to the bridge.
“I am arranging a special meeting of the council as early as possible in
December to consider the consultation results and comments of the judging panel.”
The proposal for a new pedestrian and cycle footbridge has been around for several years, stemming from the Transport Strategy and subsequent inclusion in Stratford District Council’s Waterfront Master Plan in 2003. At that time there was also extensive public consultation on the Master Plan.
The proposed bridge is designed to provide a number of benefits, including:
· a direct link for pedestrians and cyclists from the recreation ground and residential areas of Bridgetown , past the theatre and into town, improving access to schools and businesses.
· a safe cycling route which links into the national cycle network
· better facilities for disabled people and those with pushchairs
· dispersal of congestion around the Bancroft Gardens
· a landmark feature which would be an attraction in its own right
· providing an additional vantage point to view the Holy Trinity Church, remodelled Theatre and the river itself.