Gateshead Millenium Bridge

The Bridge is the centrepiece of the recent developments in Gateshead, its not just any bridge but a high specification one that is meant to be one of the most well known in the UK or even the world. The Bridge links new arts and cultural developments on Gateshead Quays on the south bank with Newcastle Quayside on the north.

• It cost £22 million to build.
• It’s the first opening bridge to be built across the River Tyne for over 100 years.
• It’s the only purpose built bridge for cyclists and pedestrians across the river.
• The bridge opens for shipping to pass through. It also is timetabled to open twice a day to give the many tourists who visit it a chance to see it in action.
• Each opening and closing takes only 4 minutes
• It is meant to resemble the opening and closing of a giant eyelid.
• At night a multi-coloured light show transforms it and creates a stunning reflection on the water
• Litter dropped on the bridge automatically rolls into special traps at each end every time it opens
  

It is fully accessible to wheelchair users and those with mobility problems

The Sage Gateshead

The Sage Gateshead opened on the 17th December 2004 and is the North East of England’s new home for music. Costing £70 million the Sage Gateshead provides the countries best facilities for people of all ages to make music, hear music and learn music. The amazing looking glass and metal structure amongst other things has a 1,600-seat concert hall designed to have the best acoustics possible. Concerts by a variety of artists, classical, jazz, folk and pop are advertised nationally. The Sage Gateshead was designed by Sir Norman Foster one of the world’s very top architects.

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art

The Baltic Centre For Contemporary Art is located a matter of metres away from the Gateshead end of the Millennium Bridge. It was the Baltic Flour Mills, a huge grain warehouse that had been disused since the 1950s. Now after spending £46 million on it, its one of the biggest and best contemporary art spaces in Europe.

• It has 5 galleries – 3,000sqm of art space
• There is no permanent exhibition, just temporary exhibitions by cutting edge artists, space is available for artists to work, sculpt and perform during their exhibitions
• The art is challenging and sometimes controversial
• There is an upmarket restaurant on the fifth floor
• Admission to the Baltic is free

Angel of the North

How will these developments regenerate Gateshead?

Firstly they will get Gateshead some useful publicity, people will hear the place Gateshead mentioned more often. (The famous sculpture ‘Angel of the North’ on the other side of Gateshead has already shown this – it’s the most visited sculpture in the UK).
A number of things can happen:

People may decide to have a short break and visit the area, taking in the three sites, this creates a multiplier effect with hotels, restaurants, shops etc gaining business, - this creates jobs.

Businesses may relocate to the area and inward investment follows, especially as people get the impression that this is a vibrant place where things are happening.