Sunderland plans “iconic” bridge
Interesting plans are afoot in Sunderland to build an “iconic” bridge across the River Wear linking Claxheugh and Castletown, but apparently the Labour controlled council there is keeping the design a close secret because they fear that the government will not help with the concept design costs.
That’s a bit of a shame, they complain that for too long the city has lived under the shadow of it’s neighbour “up the road” in Newcastle, but once again it takes a Tory to point out the error of their ways and indicate that once again they are ettempting to “hide their light under a bushel”.
Conservative opposition leader Lee Martin said:
“It is ridiculous that they should keep the bridge secret for political reasons. We have played an almost second fiddle role to Tyneside for too long. I think we should stand up and say this is our ambition, this will put us on the map and give us an iconic development that will play a huge role in our regeneration.
“And if we are open about our ambition the Government will not be able to ignore us, especially not with an election coming up and a city-centre seat that they will face a battle to keep.
“We want to be proud of our ambitions but the council leaders are shying away from revealing this design while they check they can actually afford it. That is not the way to force the issue.”
It would be nice to have another iconic structure in the north-east and would help cement our place as a region keen to regenerate, build enterprise, create jobs, and move forwards and away from our past. If Sunderland is serious about it’s ambitions (and so far you have to be impressed with redevelopments within the city centre) then they need to be more up front and confident about what they are planning to do, it is difficult enough to attract inward investment without keeping things secret!
If Newcastle can raise money for temporary piles of bamboo………..
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