Wheel-inspired bridge spans decade

YORK’S £4.2m Millennium Bridge reached its 10-year anniversary over the weekend.

The structure, which crosses the River Ouse and was inspired by the spokes of a bicycle wheel, was opened by the Duke of York on May 29, 2001 and an estimated 3.1 million cyclists and 3.5 million pedestrians have crossed it since.

In 2010 alone, more than 450,000 cyclists and 500,000 pedestrians used the bridge.

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York Council Cabinet member for transport Dave Merret said: “The bridge was and is a tremendous achievement for the local community in York.

“It is a joy to use and has made a huge difference to those cycling and walking on the south side of the city.

Residents can also now easily access Rowntree Park, the law and York colleges and go from South Bank to the police station, university and other employment sites around Fulford Road.

“This is one such project in York that we can look at and say it has significantly improved the quality of life for people who use it, and this 10th anniversary is a very good opportunity to celebrate that.”

The Millennium Bridge took an estimated 70,000 man-hours to build.

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