Sunderland residents are being invited to name one of the city’s newest landmarks, a bridge earmarked for opening later in 2025.
Spanning 105 metres, the New Wear Footbridge connects the former Vaux Brewery site and Sheepfolds, and is seen by city chiefs as a key part of the ongoing £500m Riverside Sunderland development. Community groups will feed into a list of possible names, which will then be put to a public vote, with the intention of allowing Mackems to make the final decision on the name of their new bridge.
The final section was installed in September last year and another significant milestone was reached on December 2, when the strand jacks used to lift the central section of the structure were removed. Now the jacks have been disconnected, and work will commence to install the bridge deck ahead of an expected summer opening.
Coun Michael Morley, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Just like the Northern Spire – which was named by our residents – we want local people to have their say on what we call this iconic new bridge, which will be used by many thousands of people every week when it opens later in the year.
“The footbridge is one of those developments that – as it’s gone from vision to a reality – has captured the interest and imagination of local people. From speaking to residents, it’s clear there is an enormous sense of pride about this bridge already, and so it’s important that they have a chance to select a name that really connects with them and that is befitting of a landmark that is so significant to the changing Riverside Sunderland area.”
Riverside Sunderland is recognised as one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, with more than £500m of development projects live on site right now. Among those are a “world class” eye hospital, the Housing & Innovation Construction Skills Academy (HICSA), Riverside Park and Culture House.
And at its heart is a new central business district with more than one million square feet of office space, 1,000 new homes, and a host of new leisure developments. The scheme seeks to double the number of people living within Sunderland city centre while providing workspace for 8,000 – 10,000 quality jobs.
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