Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the spectacular 'blinking eye' which links Gateshead and Newcastle, will open to the public on Monday 17^th September. The bridge, which received a lottery grant of over £9.75 million from the Millennium Commission, is the first opening bridge to be constructed across the Tyne for more than 100 years, and its opening mechanism is an engineering world first.

When closed, small boats can sail under the bridge, but for larger traffic, as part of its unique design, the whole structure of the bridge rotates at an angle of 40 degrees creating a gateway arch and allowing river traffic to pass underneath. Designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, the bridge has two lanes ? one for walkers and one for cyclists. The pedestrian lane includes benches for people to stop and enjoy the view by day and by night dramatic lightshows can be staged with special lighting units which are built into the structure. This innovative bridge is also self-cleaning since each time it rotates any litter dropped on the deck automatically rolls into special bins, preventing it from falling into the Tyne.

Millennium Commissioner Judith Donovan CBE said, "The Millennium Commission is proud to have supported this spectacular 'world first' bridge which is already an icon for Gateshead and the North East. The bridge, which is a shining example of innovative architecture and design is an excellent example of how lottery money through the Millennium Commission is regenerating our cities, rivers and waterways.

"The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is part of a £2 billion investment the Millennium Commission is making right across the UK which is creating jobs, boosting local economies and providing new opportunities. It is creating a lasting legacy which will be felt for generations to come."

The Millennium Commission has invested in nearly 30 projects which include new or restored bridges as part of the scheme. These include the York Millennium Bridge which opened in April, the Green Bridge at Mile End Park, a 25-metre wide span of landscaped parkland across the 5 lanes of the Mile End Road and the Irish Gate Bridge in Carlisle, which links the historic castle to the rest of the city.

In addition to this capital funding programme, over 17,500 small grants have been given to individuals across the UK to put a bright idea into practice to benefit themselves and their wider community through the Millennium Awards Scheme. A huge range of innovative projects have been undertaken from artists skills sharing groups to community support groups.

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Notes to Editors

1. The Millennium Commission is one of the good causes funded by the National Lottery.

2. The Millennium Commission has also supported:

• Around 200 new buildings, environmental projects and visitor attractions on over 3000 sites across the UK.
• A UK-wide programme of community festivals which began on New Year?s Eve 1999 and culminated on New Year?s Eve 2000 with celebrations in 32 towns and cities across the UK.
• The Millennium Experience at Greenwich and the National Programme.

2. The Millennium Commission also works with over 100 Awards Partner organisations to distribute Millennium Awards to individuals for community based projects. Over 17,500 people have already received a Millennium Award and there are still thousands of Awards available. Further information is available on 0800 06801 2000.
3. Wilkinson Eyre Architects, with its portfolio of national and international award winning projects, is one of the UK's leading architectural practices.
   
   In addition to the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Wilkinson Eyre Architects has recently completed three other Millennium Commission Lottery funded projects: Magna, a science adventure centre in Yorkshire; Explore@Bristol; and Lockmeadow Bridge in Maidstone, Kent.
   
   The Wilkinson Eyre/Gifford and Partners' designed Gateshead Millennium Bridge will feature in OEGreat Expectations, a Design Council sponsored exhibition of British design innovation to be held at New York?s Central Station, 16-28 October 2001.
4. Gateshead Millennium Bridge forms an important part of the regeneration of the Gateshead Quays. This new cultural quarter will include an art gallery, music centre, restaurants and bars, and is a major contribution to Newcastle & Gateshead's bid to become the European Capital of Culture in 2008.

For further information 

contact the Millennium Commission Press Office on 020 7880 2007, out of hours 07775 573263.

The Millennium Commission web sites can be accessed atwww.millennium.gov.uk andwww.starpeople.org.uk

For television enquiries please contact Marc Leuw at The Television Consultancy on 020 7435 4343.

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Copyright © 2000 The Millennium Commission  

Millennium Commission  14th-September-2001
Categories:  News Archive
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