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james73

Plan lodged for ‘missing link’ bridge (Evening Times)

PLANS to build a £1million footbridge to link the two sides of Cumbernauld
town centre have taken a giant leap forward.

Proposals for the 48 metre-long suspension bridge have been lodged with
North Lanarkshire Council.

The development would replace the Tummel Way Bridge, which was
closed in 2004.

The application, submitted by Campsies Centre Cumbernauld Ltd (CCCL),
would cross Central Way - the main road that cuts a path through the
town centre.

If the 22 metre-high bridge is built it will provide another options for
pedestrians to cross the route.

Pedestrians can now use either the underpass at Asda or go through the
town centre shopping precinct which crosses the busy road.

Councillor Gerry McElroy, chairman of CCCL, a company set up by the
council to redevelop the centre of Cumbernauld, said: "We see this bridge
as providing a missing link between the two sides of the town centre.

"Pedestrians from some areas of Cumbernauld currently face a five to
10-minute detour to get from one side of the town centre to the other -
this bridge would change that."

The 30-year-old pedestrian Tummel Way Bridge would be demolished
under the plans. It was shut for health and safety reasons because of
problems with one of the pedestrian ramps.

James H
_________________
Happiness ain't at the end of the road - Happiness *IS* the road...

james73 · Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 4:05 pm Post subject:

£1m bridge to improve town link (Evening Times)

ONE of Cumbernauld's least liked landmarks is to be replaced with a new
£1million bridge.

Following years of campaigning, the Lanarkshire town's infamous pedestrian
link across Central Way is set to be demolished.

The bridge's "hideous" design contributed to Cumbernauld being awarded
the Carbuncle prize, the UK's least coveted architectural award, twice.

It's been closed since 2004 because of vandalism and structural problems.

The new, sleek, single span bridge will provide a direct link to the £40m
Antonine shopping centre.

Councillor Gerry McElroy, chairman of regeneration group Campsies
Centre Cumbernauld Ltd, said: "We see this bridge as providing the
missing link between the two sides of the town centre.

"It's the best option for the people of Cumbernauld, who currently face a
five to 10 minute detour to get from one side to the other."

The new 48m long bridge is likely to open by the end of 2009.

Councillors are due to study the proposals, which have been recommended
for approval, at a meeting next week.

A report before North Lanarkshire Council states: "The difficulties of
maintaining the existing bridge meant it had become an unattractive and
shabby structure.

"It is anticipated that these problems will not arise with the proposed
bridge."

James H
_________________
Happiness ain't at the end of the road - Happiness *IS* the road...