Swing bridge in the running for PM's award
DERBY'S swing bridge across the River Derwent is one of two pieces of county architecture short-listed for an award from the Prime Minister.
The footbridge at Cathedral Green, which opened in April, is one of 24 buildings and bridges in the running for the Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award.
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praise: Gordon Brown
It is joined by The Level Centre, in Matlock, which is a creative hub for people with learning disabilities.
They were picked out of more than 100 entries
The bridge, which can swing to one side in times of high water levels, was part of the re-landscaping of Cathedral Green, planned by Derby City Council and urban regeneration company Derby Cityscape.
It links the green to Stuart Street but has been criticised for not leading to anything of importance.
John Cadwallader, chief executive of Derby Cityscape, said: "To have the new pedestrian and cycle bridge shortlisted for this prestigious award is just reward for the hard work and dedication of those involved.
"The city council showed strong commitment to supporting this project financially against a background of budget constraints and should be congratulated on its ambition to deliver high-quality public realm like the swing bridge to enhance the attractiveness of the city centre.
"The true reward is not in that the bridge has been short-listed for this award but that Cathedral Green and the bridge are being used extensively by the public.
"Considering the cynics call it "the bridge to nowhere", all I can say is that there are an awful lot of people walking and cycling to nowhere."
The bridge project began in 2007 and was due to be finished in March last year at a cost of £3.8m. It opened in April this year with the final cost closer to £4.2m.
Gordon Brown said: "I would like to congratulate all the projects short-listed.
"We are absolutely committed to good quality, sustainable public buildings and infrastructure, as we believe that buildings that work efficiently and effectively improve the lives of those working in and around them and mean better public services.
"These projects show how creative design can make a real difference."
The short-listing panel said that the bridge in Cathedral Green, designed by Ramboll, was an elegant pedestrian and cycle swing bridge creating both a link and a meeting place.
It said: "Its design was inspired by Derby's textile industry and derives from a tailor's shears, in particular the action of hinged blades as they open and close."
About The Level, designed by Clash Associates, the panel said: "It provides facilities for the local community in a low-energy, low-maintenance building."
The winner will be announced on October 14.
8 Comments
by Joanne, Derbys
Thursday, June 11 2009, 2:05PM
“So this bridge didn't have the support of local conservative councillors then?
I'd be interested to know....”
by Robert, South Derbyshire
Thursday, June 11 2009, 1:46PM
“Something that cost a lot of money, is largely pointless, the product of nulabour thinking... the bridge is very similar to Gordon Brown himself.
The only difference being, the brige has the good sense to move aside when needed.”
by Tom Fulep, Sinfin
Thursday, June 11 2009, 12:50PM
“My wife and I popped down to see this new wonder of Derby a few weeks back and as much as it is an aesthetically impressive piece of architecture, it really is a very expensive link to nowhere. From what we saw, nobody actually used it as a route to anywhere except the other side and back. It was littered with a group of scruffy looking teens who were lounging around or chasing one another whist screaming and bawling at the top of their voices.
Considering the area, I think something constructed in a traditional style with a tad of modern imagination would have been much more fitting and probably half as expensive.”
by Howard Laird, Derby
Thursday, June 11 2009, 11:12AM
“John Cadwallader, chief executive of Derby Cityscape, is correct in denying it is a bridge to nowhere. It is a footbridge connecting his Stuart St offices to the town centre. No doubt saving vital minutes on the lunchtime baguette walk.”
by Joanne, Derbys
Thursday, June 11 2009, 10:27AM
“Have comments disappeared please?”
by Joanne, Derbys
Thursday, June 11 2009, 9:54AM
“Considering more pressing spending priorities in Derby city centre- I am surprised this project was allowed to continue in current econmic times.
I can think of far better ways to use 4.2 million pounds.
This was against a backdrop of threats of closure of public toilets, and a hugely delayed rebuilding of the bus station- a public amenity that is essential to many.
I'm fully in support of well designed and aesthetically pleasing projects; but overall in the city- this does not appear so.(Eg check out photos of reader's photos of the new hotel skyscraper blocking views of the Cathedral, and dominating the river vews.)
Has this all become some giant marketing exercise?
What do the people who actually live here and visit the city think of all these developments in Derby?
I do actually like Derby very much- but the main things that attract me are its historic character and architecture.
This appears to be being eroded by concrete develpments popping up all over the place and dominating the skyline.
I do not doubt the quality of design of the new bridge- but was this the best use of money- and where wil it lead to in the future? I do hope not more casinos and bars.”
by Chris, Derby
Thursday, June 11 2009, 9:07AM
“A "Bridge to nowehere" gets a nomination for an architects award from a Prime Minister who is going nowhere - makes sense of the whole fiasco!”
by Kelvin Footlambert, Littleover.
Thursday, June 11 2009, 8:55AM
“It's good that people are are walking and cycling across the new bridge, but why does it have to a be a huge swing bridge? Swing bridges exist to let large boats and ships to pass, the only boats that use that part of the river are canoes! Anyway Brown won't be PM for much longer.”