Q&A

Why is the Gateshead millennium bridge famous?

Why is the Gateshead millennium bridge famous?

Winner of the 2002 RIBA Stirling Prize, this unique crossing for pedestrians and cyclists has become a new landmark for Gateshead and the Tyne, a river famous for its historic bridges. The bridge links Newcastle’s thriving north bank with Gateshead Quays – the new arts and cultural quarter to the south.

Who designed the Gateshead Millennium Bridge?

WilkinsonEyre
Gateshead Millennium Bridge/Architecture firms

What is special about the Gateshead Millennium Bridge?

The bridge is sometimes referred to as the ‘Blinking Eye Bridge’ or the ‘Winking Eye Bridge’ due to its shape and its tilting method. The Millennium Bridge stands as the sixteenth tallest structure in the city, and is shorter in stature than the neighbouring Tyne Bridge.

Why was the Gateshead Millennium Bridge built?

The vision of the client, Gateshead Council, was to create a landmark footbridge across the River Tyne to link the Newcastle and Gateshead Quaysides, which are being transformed to meet the challenges of the new millennium.

Can you walk over Millennium Bridge Newcastle?

As it was a lovely day we decided to take a walk over the bridge and along the Newcastle Quayside. There is no fee to cross the bridge and, as you can see by on of my photo’s, provides a great view of the other bridges across the Tyne. …

What is the swing bridge made of?

Swing bridge

Ancestor Truss bridge, cantilever bridge
Carries Automobile, truck, light rail, heavy rail
Span range Short
Material Steel
Movable Yes

What type of bridge is Gateshead Millennium?

Arch bridge
Tilt bridge
Gateshead Millennium Bridge/Bridge type

Which is the world first and only tilted bridge?

Gateshead Millennium Bridge
Gateshead Millennium Bridge – the world’s first and only tilting bridge – is a must-see landmark in NewcastleGateshead.

Does the swing bridge still work?

The bridge was renovated in 2018 at a cost of £200,000. The restoration involved 25,000 hours of work and 10,000 screws were used in repairs. Its reopening in August 2021 was marred by technical issues which saw the bridge unable to swing.

What is the tilt bridge used for?

The tilting Gateshead Millennium Bridge spanning the River Tyne between Gateshead on the south bank and Newcastle upon Tyne, England, on the north is a pedestrian bridge with two large hydraulic rams at each side that tilt the structure back allowing small watercraft to pass under.

How does the Millennium Bridge at Gateshead work?

It is essentially two graceful curves, one forming the deck and the other supporting it, spanning between two new islands running parallel to the quaysides. These pivot around their common springing points to allow shipping to pass beneath, using an innovative rotational movement similar to that of a slowly opening eyelid.

Who are the architects of the Millennium Bridge?

Gateshead Millennium Bridge. WilkinsonEyre is an international architecture practice based in London, England. In 1983 Chris Wilkinson founded Chris Wilkinson Architects, he partnered with Jim Eyre in 1987 and the practice was renamed WilkinsonEyre in 1999.

What was the RIBA Stirling Prize for Gateshead?

Winner of the 2002 RIBA Stirling Prize, this unique crossing for pedestrians and cyclists has become a new landmark for Gateshead and the Tyne, a river famous for its historic bridges. The bridge links Newcastle’s thriving north bank with Gateshead Quays – the new arts and cultural quarter to the south.

How is the bridge between Newcastle and Gateshead?

The bridge links Newcastle’s thriving north bank with Gateshead Quays – the new arts and cultural quarter to the south. It is essentially two graceful curves, one forming the deck and the other supporting it, spanning between two new islands running parallel to the quaysides.