I know what you mean, there seems to be a huge trend for councils to commission the most "trendy" design that comes their way. Which would be fine if the building wasn't surrounded by Tudor houses. I agree that anything other then a stone bridge is most likely going to look hideously out of place.
Another thing I can't stand is art for art's sake, it's everywhere now! When so many statues and modern memorials of various kinds, are stuffed into every spare nook and cranny, they all lose their iconic value. That's all just my opinion of course.
