New Theatre & Walkbridge

[Madhatter]

I saw this earlier on narrowboatworld.com They seem to be asking which design, and aren't asking if it's wanted in the first place. All of those designs are awfull anyway, whats wrong with a traditional stone or brick bridge. Although I suppose that would create a wall where as a metal bridge is more transparent because it's less solid.
Consultation plans to knock theatres down, 2 million pounds on a bridge, county council really have lost the plot now, and yet again it's south county getting the money. Why don't they spend it on pedestrianizing the town centre here, we're being choked by cars.

[Will]

I remember years ago, they had grand schemes to pedestrianise Bridge street, it never materialised though. It seems a safe assumption that the real reason for the bridge is for better access to the car park. I've also head people speculating that all the open land on that opposite side of the river, would make great retail and housing land. Not only would we lose the beauty of the river, we'd lose all that open green land too. I hope at least it's just speculation.

[Reggie]

Isn't it wonderful to see people finally taking a stand against their councils! For too long now we've let them deteriorate out lovely town with one crackpot scheme after another.

This bridge and any subsequent building work following on from it, will further destroy the natual beauty of our town.

[Will]

For people interested, here's a link where you can make your comment about the bridge, to Warwickshire Council.

www.warwickshire.gov.uk/stratfordbridge

And here is the email address to write to directly.

stratfordbridge@warwickshire.gov.uk

[Madhatter]

You're joking, all you get from WCC is an uatomated reply promising a more detailed reply from the appropriate depatrment that never arrives. They are useless.

Originally Posted by Madhatter

You're joking, all you get from WCC is an uatomated reply promising a more detailed reply from the appropriate depatrment that never arrives. They are useless.

It's fun to be cynical, but not very constructive in this case. If people don't use this opportunity to protest, they won't have a leg to stand on further down the line.

I would urge anyone who cares, to make sure they fill in the online survey and register their objections.

[Miss Annaphylactic]

Well, I am not totally disagreeing with everyone's comments (my, my, I do seem to be devil's advocate on this site!!), I do feel that the bridge is in many ways a pointless and very expensive addition to the town.
I am not however so worried about the effect it is going to have on the famous view of Stratford... i.e. from the foot bridge looking up the river over the swan island, to the theatre...
This was my inital worry, as it is such a picturesque view, but at a breakfast meeting (think it was a Town Management Partnership one - I must remember to try and get Andrew Cooper to join this site!) we were shown a slide of the exact location... from the bridge you will barely see it - it will be erected around the bend in the river so won't get in the way of the current views. You might see a few feet of it if you look hard, but it will be in the distance and unobtrusive from this vantage point.

[Madhatter]

It is constructive, maybe they'll read it and realise that people actually expect a reply when promised one!. WCC think Warwickshire ends at Rugby though so can't expect anything else, All Nuneaton Bedworth Coleshill and Atherstone mail probably goes in the junk mail folder.

I do urge people to make their comments known though, I don't think such a modern structure has any place at Stratford, especially after seeing the chrome monstrosities at london across the thames.

It's clear there is only one reason for this bridge getting built, and that is to provide easy access to the car park across the river. It is utterly useless in every other regard, simply because there's nothing on the other side of the river! If people want to go to the wreck, the park in the wreck car park! This is such a waste of money when there are so many other things in Stratford that require attention and money.

[Lex]

Some of the Conservative Town/District councillers are actually opposed to the bridge (got a convervative party flyer through the letterbox the other day). If you're opposed to the bridge, it might be worth writing to them showing your support.

[Will]

I'm bumping this message to the top, as it looks like Stratford Voice's leaflets are going out, and I want people to be able to see this topic.

[Madhatter]

Yet to meet anyone who actually thinks it's a good idea.

[Lex]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Is anyone else worried by this?

I admit the current theatre is pretty ugly in places, and definitely needs changing, but I'm very concerned about the kinds of monstrosities that Stratford Council is capable of dreaming up. I'm sure they are more then capable of creating something as hideous as the giant silver handbag now residing in Birmingham's Bull ring.

I had a look around the theatre site as part of the RSC's open/fund raising day. I've moved from being slightly sceptical about the scheme to slight enthusiasm. The theatre is mostly going to be returned to how it was ment to be in the original plans. Still not too sure about the tower though, although the theatre did originally have a lookout tower.