News

Design plans for a new Tees Valley landmark are unveiled

(25 September 2003)

On Tuesday 30 September, the University of Durham, Queen’s Campus, Stockton will host a touring exhibition of inspirational design plans for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge at Northbank, Stockton on Tees.

The plans have been submitted by five of the world’s leading architects to Tees Valley Regeneration (TVR), English Partnerships, One NorthEast and Stockton Borough Council who are leading the transformation of 60 acres of derelict land opposite the University’s Queen’s Campus.

A series of seven public exhibitions over the next seven days, together with information leaflets, a website and even beer mats will help to spread the word, with local people to choose from several iconic designs for the new bridge across the River Tees.

To ensure a striking design, the contract for the Northbank bridge was thrown open to international competition, managed by the Royal Institute of British Architects. The five architects selected are:-

• Future Systems, the firm responsible for the famous new stand and scoreboard at Lords Cricket Ground and the new Selfridges department store which is transforming Birmingham city centre.
• Glenn Howells Architects, designers of the Timber Wharf development in Manchester.
• Lifschutz Davidson Architects, responsible for the stunning new Hungerford Bridge across the River Thames, linking Trafalgar Square with the famous Millennium London Eye.
• Spence Associates, designers of the Turner Centre at Margate.
• Wilkinson Eyre, the company responsible for Tyneside’s ‘blinking eye’ Millennium Bridge and the Magna Centre at Rotherham

The decision on which bridge to build will be taken based on style, cost, engineering details and the views of local people. The partnership hopes to award the construction contract before the end of the year and see work start on site in 2004.

Voters can pick their favourite design by visiting teesvalleyregeneration.co.uk, calling freephone 0800 781 8032, looking out for the promotional leaflets or by attending one of the following exhibitions touring the area over the next few days.

Thursday 25th September
11.00am – 4.00pm : Pavilion Leisure Centre, Thornaby

Friday 26th September
3.00pm – 8.00pm : Arc, Dovecot Street, Stockton-on-Tees

Saturday 27th September
12.00pm – 5.00pm : Arc, Dovecot Street, Stockton-on-Tees

Monday 29th September
11.00am – 4.00pm : Castlegate Centre, Stockton-on-Tees

Tuesday 30th September
10.00am – 4.00pm : University of Durham, Queen’s Campus, Stockton

Wednesday 1st October
11.00am – 3.00pm : ASDA, Thornaby Town Centre

Thursday 2nd October
11.00am – 4.00pm : Castlegate Centre, Stockton-on-Tees

For more information contact:
Jan Cawood, Public Relations Officer, University of Durham tel: 0191-334-0018
Tom Willcox, Persuasion Public Relations tel 0191-214-0222