Stratford Bridge design B gets council go ahead
Warwickshire County Council yesterday agreed that the competition winning design B for a new bridge for Stratford upon Avon should be taken further and a more detailed design developed.
Members of the county council’s Cabinet recently moved that the decision on whether to go ahead with the bridge should be made following a debate by all councillors, and yesterday the vast majority of members voted that detailed work on the bridge design should go ahead – a vote in favour with 31 for and ten against.
These details will address many of the concerns expressed during two months of recent public consultation.
Design B was submitted by Ian Ritchie Architects/Schlaich Bergerman & Partner, offering Stratford the possibility of becoming home to the ‘thinnest arch bridge in the world’.
Cllr Chris Saint, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: "I’m delighted that the council has approved further work on this scheme. It’s an integral part of the World Class Stratford development. A town like Stratford cannot stand still.
“There will be further consultation alongside new plans for open spaces beside the river, Waterside and Southern Lane.
“We’ve made a decision here which could influence the ability to attract future investment into Stratford, and I believe we’ve made the right decision.”
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.