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Keel Crossing [opened 18.10.25] - compendium thread


Not the Sunderland way. Cheapest option and to hell with any design aesthetic - at least its something

Its easy to say that, but where is the money coming from ? It's not like central government is flush with funds to kick up to post industrial towns like sunderland for vanity projects. It's key infrastructure in a time of economic suffocation for the country, if we want something fancy (i.e expensive) then we will be waiting a long time

Some people are just never happy

I think everyone in sunderland including the council would love an iconic, stunning structure, but it's not realistic in the current climate.

It's going to be massive for the regeneration of the city , regardless of what it looks like
 
Its easy to say that, but where is the money coming from ? It's not like central government is flush with funds to kick up to post industrial towns like sunderland for vanity projects. It's key infrastructure in a time of economic suffocation for the country, if we want something fancy (i.e expensive) then we will be waiting a long time

Some people are just never happy

I think everyone in sunderland including the council would love an iconic, stunning structure, but it's not realistic in the current climate.

It's going to be massive for the regeneration of the city , regardless of what it looks like

Exactly this, I think steel prices are north of 40% increases alone with concrete probably not far behind which couldn’t be good reading for a project that is predominantly concrete and steel.

 
Its easy to say that, but where is the money coming from ? It's not like central government is flush with funds to kick up to post industrial towns like sunderland for vanity projects. It's key infrastructure in a time of economic suffocation for the country, if we want something fancy (i.e expensive) then we will be waiting a long time

Some people are just never happy

I think everyone in sunderland including the council would love an iconic, stunning structure, but it's not realistic in the current climate.

It's going to be massive for the regeneration of the city , regardless of what it looks like

If it was announced council tax was going up 0.5% to allow for a more fancy design there’d be absolute outrage followed by cries of corruption and / or claims of not having any need for a new bridge / what’s wrong with a plain concrete one.

The Spire bridge has been labelled unnecessary and a waste of money by plenty. No understanding that it opens up a new strategic corridor to allow for developments like film studios to become viable.

It’s frustrating like :lol:
 
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It's just a bridge. It goes from one side to the other. If we had money for the spectacular it would look different, it's all about functionality and it's bang on
I agree we desperately need this bridge but I'd have loved something similar in style to the Northern Spire. This one looks like the Redugh bridge, not nice atheticaly in a key area, hopefully they can "tart it up" when funds allow.
 
Great news re the new bridge, another part of the jigsaw coming together. I am happy that it is functional rather than a half arsed vanity project, it’s a bridge that is going to do its job and be a conduit for lots of good stuff.
 
They should keep the sheepfolds for businesses, retail or other uses. It’s not the best place for housing

Nah don't agree with this, I think it's great putting a community next to the stadium. All new stadiums are in sterile industrial estates (which the SOL has Been for 25 years)...roker Park and all old stadiums were built within the communities. This will bring some character to the place. Also the town needs as many houses around it's centre now to build the economy around and get people spending
 
I agree we desperately need this bridge but I'd have loved something similar in style to the Northern Spire. This one looks like the Redugh bridge, not nice atheticaly in a key area, hopefully they can "tart it up" when funds allow.

The northern spire bridge was a massive climb down from it's original designs and we had the same conversations then, that it was boring and cheap and not iconic enough etc... All still very viable arguments but first and foremost it's been successful from an infrastructure point of view and that's the whole point.

How many cities the size of Sunderland have world renowned unique examples of grand modern architecture?
 
The northern spire bridge was a massive climb down from it's original designs and we had the same conversations then, that it was boring and cheap and not iconic enough etc... All still very viable arguments but first and foremost it's been successful from an infrastructure point of view and that's the whole point.

How many cities the size of Sunderland have world renowned unique examples of grand modern architecture?
I like NS and think a smaller foot version would look decent on that site. The buildings om Vaux have gotten grief and with exception of the Beam I think they look fine, statement buildings can come after we get economy moving in the right direction. As Mackies corner and the other buildings on that cross roads prove, we've some cracking old buildings in Sunderland.
 
I agree we desperately need this bridge but I'd have loved something similar in style to the Northern Spire. This one looks like the Redugh bridge, not nice atheticaly in a key area, hopefully they can "tart it up" when funds allow.
This is instantly what I thought
 
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