View source for Gateshead Millennium Bridge

{{Short description|English tilt bridge across the River Tyne}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox bridge 
|name              = Gateshead Millennium Bridge
|image             = [[File:Newcastle-upon-Tyne-bridges-and-skyline cropped.jpg|278px]]<br />[[File:Gateshead_millennium_bridge_open.jpg|278px]]
|caption           = Above: Gateshead Millennium Bridge, looking west along the [[River Tyne]], as viewed from the Gateshead side<br />Below: Gateshead Millennium Bridge when tilted, also viewed from the Gateshead side
|coordinates       = {{coord|54.9698|-1.5992|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
|os_grid_reference = NZ256639
|carries           = {{ubl|Cyclists|Pedestrians}}
|crosses           = [[River Tyne]]
|locale            = [[Tyneside]]
|official_name     = Gateshead Millennium Bridge
|other_name        = {{ubl|The Blinking Eye Bridge|The Winking Eye Bridge}}
|owner             = [[Gateshead Council]]
|maint             = 
|website           = {{official website|https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/4594/Gateshead-Millennium-Bridge}}
|preceded          = [[Tyne Bridge]]
|followed          = [[Tyne Tunnel#Tyne cyclist and pedestrian tunnels|Tyne Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnels]]
|design            = [[Tilt bridge]]
|material          = [[Steel]]
|material2         = [[Concrete]]
|length            = {{cvt|126|m}}
|width             = {{cvt|8|m}}
|mainspan          = {{cvt|105|m}}
|architect         = [[WilkinsonEyre]]
|engineering       = [[Gifford (company)|Gifford]]
|builder           = [[VolkerWessels|Volker Stevin]]
|fabricator        = [[Severfield|Watson Steel]]
|begin             = 
|complete          = 28 June 2001
|open              = {{start date|2001|09|17|df=yes}}
|cost              = £22 million
|inaugurated       = {{ubl|7 May 2002|by [[Queen Elizabeth II]]}}
|below = 
}}

The '''Gateshead Millennium Bridge''' is a pedestrian and cyclist [[tilt bridge]] spanning the [[River Tyne]] between [[Gateshead]] arts quarter on the south bank and [[Newcastle upon Tyne]]'s [[Quayside]] area on the north bank. It was the first tilting bridge ever to be constructed.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|title=Gateshead Millennium Bridge|url=https://research.ncl.ac.uk/northerninnovation/exhibits/gatesheadmillenniumbridge/|access-date=6 February 2022|website=Northern Innovation, [[Newcastle University]]}}</ref> Opened for public use in 2001, the award-winning<ref name=":6" /> structure was conceived and designed by architectural practice [[WilkinsonEyre]] and structural engineering firm [[Gifford (company)|Gifford]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ramboll.co.uk/projects/ruk/gateshead%20millennium%20bridge |work=Gifford Ltd. |title=Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Tyneside |access-date=2010-01-30 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The bridge is sometimes called the 'Blinking Eye Bridge'<ref>{{Cite news |title='Blinking-eye' bridge lands award |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=2002-06-11 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2038662.stm |access-date=2010-02-27 |df=dmy-all |quote=Gateshead's 'blinking-eye' bridge has landed a major honour.}}</ref> or the 'Winking Eye Bridge'<ref>{{Cite news |last=Higham |first=Nick |authorlink=Nick Higham |title=Jubilee tour diary: The North East |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=2002-05-09 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1976830.stm |access-date=2010-02-27 |df=dmy-all |quote=In Gateshead, the Queen opened the 'Winking Eye' bridge.}}</ref> due to its shape and its tilting method. The Millennium Bridge stands as the [[List of tallest buildings and structures in Newcastle upon Tyne|twentieth tallest structure in the city]], and is shorter in stature than the neighbouring [[Tyne Bridge]].

== History ==
=== Historical context ===
Gateshead Millennium Bridge is part of a long history of bridges built across the River Tyne, the earliest of which was constructed in the [[Middle Ages]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=24 September 2014|title=Bridges over the Tyne|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/features/2002/07/bridges.shtml|access-date=6 February 2022|website=[[BBC]]}}</ref> As [[quay]]-based industries grew during the [[Industrial Revolution]] and [[Victorian era]] due to its accessible port, the area became more prosperous.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last=Bishop|first=Peter|url=https://archive.org/details/bridge0000bish/page/148/mode/2up|title=Bridge|publisher=[[Reaktion Books]]|year=2008|isbn=9781861894694|location=London|pages=148–149|access-date=8 February 2022|via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> However, industry declined along the River Tyne following [[World War II]] and the quay deteriorated into the 1980s. This prompted regeneration activities in both Newcastle and Gateshead, beginning with the construction of [[Newcastle Law Courts]] on the riverbank. In 1995, [[Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council|Gateshead Council]] devised plans to develop a new contemporary arts centre, the [[Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art]], and the need for a footbridge to link the two cities became more apparent.{{Sfn|White|Fortune|2012|p=206}}
[[File:Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Angled.JPG|alt=Picture of Gateshead Millennium Bridge at night. The construction of Gateshead Millennium Bridge formed part of wider regeneration projects in both Newcastle (pictured left) and Gateshead (pictured right).|left|thumb|The construction of Gateshead Millennium Bridge provided a link between wider regeneration projects in Newcastle (left) and Gateshead (right).]]

=== Conception ===
A competition was held by Gateshead Council in 1996 to design a new bridge to link Gateshead to Newcastle,<ref name=":0" /> the first opening bridge to be built on the River Tyne in over 100 years.<ref name=":1" /> The bridge would form part of the regeneration on both sides of the River Tyne, providing a crossing between new commercial buildings and housing built in Newcastle and cultural and leisure developments in Gateshead.{{Sfn|Petroski|2005|p=92}} It would also facilitate a {{convert|1|mi|adj=on}} circular promenade around the [[Quayside]].{{Sfn|Davey|Forster|2007|p=38}} Although river-based traffic had decreased by the 21st century, the cities of Gateshead and Newcastle still intended to retain the image of the River Tyne as a working river.{{Sfn|LeCuyer|2003|p=34}} The advert for the competition was published in the ''[[New Civil Engineer]]'' magazine with the brief "We are looking for design teams who can create a stunning, but practical, river level crossing which fits this historic setting, opens for shipping and is good enough to win [[Millennium Commission]] funding."{{Sfn|Petroski|2005|p=91}} There were over 150 entries and Gateshead residents voted for their favourite out of a shortlist of six architectural teams. WilkinsonEyre and Gifford and Partners claimed the prize in February 1997{{Sfn|Petroski|2005|p=96}} with Gateshead Councillor Mick Henry remarking that the design was "something very special."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Gateshead Millennium Bridge background|url=https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/4597/Gateshead-Millennium-Bridge-background|access-date=6 February 2022|website=[[Gateshead Council]]}}</ref>

By July 1997, a final design was under preparation for submission to the Millennium Commission in order to secure funding.{{Sfn|Petroski|2005|p=97}} The bridge, which is the world's first [[Tilt bridge|tilting bridge]],<ref name=":7" /> ultimately cost £22{{nbsp}}million, with funding from the Millennium Commission, the [[European Regional Development Fund]], [[English Partnerships]], East Gateshead Single Regeneration Budget, and Gateshead Council.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How the Gateshead Millennium Bridge was funded|url=https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/4609/How-the-Gateshead-Millennium-Bridge-was-funded|access-date=6 February 2022|website=[[Gateshead Council]]}}</ref>  By this point, the name of the bridge was still undecided. The original proposed name of 'Baltic Millennium Bridge' (in reference to the adjacent Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art on the Gateshead side) was objected to by [[Newcastle City Council]]. In response, Gateshead Council decided upon the final name of 'Gateshead Millennium Bridge' in 1998, which caused an ongoing feud between the two councils.{{Sfn|White|Fortune|2012|p=212}}

=== Opening ===
Gateshead Council originally announced that the bridge would be open in September 2000, but it was not completed until September the following year.{{Sfn|White|Fortune|2012|p=219}} The first tilt took place on 28 June 2001 to 36,000 onlookers.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Gateshead Millennium Bridge facts|url=https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/4596/Gateshead-Millennium-Bridge-facts|access-date=8 February 2022|website=[[Gateshead Council]]}}</ref> It was opened to the public on 17 September 2001 to a crowd of thousands.<ref name="BBC-opening">{{cite news|date=2001-01-17|title=Tilting bridge opens eye to the world|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1545986.stm|access-date=2008-09-24|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The barrier lifted at 2{{nbsp}}pm to allow the first public crossing, and the first people to cross received a commemorative medal gift from the Council.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Morton|first=David|date=17 September 2016|title=On this day 15 years ago: Gateshead's Millennium Bridge opened to the public|work=[[Chronicle Live]]|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/day-15-years-ago-millennium-11895144|access-date=8 February 2022}}</ref> The bridge was dedicated by Queen [[Elizabeth II]] on 7 May 2002, during her [[Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II|Golden Jubilee]] tour.<ref>{{cite news|date=2002-05-07|title=Streaker mars royal tour|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1972813.stm|access-date=2008-05-04|df=dmy-all}}</ref> A commemorative plaque unveiled by the Queen reads: "Gateshead Millennium Bridge. Opened by Her Majesty The Queen on 7th May 2002." Before a formal dinner at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, the Queen said "Today I see the tangible signs of the determination of all those within this region to create a new future. There have been so many personal acts of kindness, especially over the last two months, now I have the chance to express my gratitude to the people of the North East."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Morton|first=David|date=7 May 2017|title=When the Millennium Bridge over the River Tyne was officially opened|work=[[Chronicle Live]]|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/millennium-bridge-over-river-tyne-12994172|access-date=8 February 2022}}</ref>

==Structure==

=== Design ===
[[File:MovableBridge tilt.gif|alt=Animation demonstrating how a tilt bridge operates to either let pedestrians cross or allow water traffic to pass underneath. The bridge consists of two arcs, both with their end points near a common horizontal axis. In the lowered position one arc is horizontal, on which a pedestrian can cross. The other arc is raised above the water and supports the pathway part through attached cables. To allow a boat to pass underneath, both arcs pivot as a unit so that both arcs are well above the river.|thumb|Animation demonstrating how a tilt bridge operates to either let pedestrians cross or allow water traffic to pass underneath|left]]
Gateshead Millennium Bridge was constructed to fulfil the following main design constraints: the bridge must be {{Convert|4.5|m|ft}} above river-level during high spring tides when closed; nothing must be built on the Gateshead [[Quayside]]; the deck must have no more than a 1:20 slope to allow disabled access.{{Sfn|Blandford|2007|loc=para 1. Introduction}} The bridge consists of two steel arches – a deck which acts as the pedestrian and cycle path, and a supporting arch.<ref name=":2" /> The bridge was designed to be as light as possible to allow for easy opening and closing, so the two arches are lighter towards the centre span than at the hinges.{{Sfn|Jennings|2004|p=403}} The pedestrian and cycle deck is a parabolic shape with a {{Convert|2.7|m|ft}} vertical camber. It is divided into two separate paths on different levels for the different modes of transport, separated by a [[stainless steel]] "hedge" with seating areas and steps interspersed throughout.{{Sfn|LeCuyer|2003|p=34-36}} The supporting arch is also a parabola, designed in such a way as to match the shape of the [[Tyne Bridge]] upstream.{{Sfn|Jennings|2004|p=403}} The two arches are joined together by 18 suspension cables which provide stability for people crossing the bridge.

Six [[hydraulic ram]]s (three on each side){{Sfn|White|Fortune|p=207|2012}} tilt the entire 850,000{{nbsp}}kg bridge as a single structure,{{Sfn|Petroski|2005|p=97}} meaning that when the supporting arch lowers, the pedestrian deck rises to create {{Convert|25|m|ft}} of clearance for river traffic to pass underneath.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Gateshead Millennium Bridge design|url=https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/4610/Gateshead-Millennium-Bridge-design|access-date=6 February 2022|website=[[Gateshead Council]]}}</ref>{{Sfn|LeCuyer|2003|p=38}} The bridge takes around four minutes to rotate through the full 40° from closed to open, moving as fast as {{Convert|18|mm|in|abbr=in}} per second.{{Sfn|Petroski|2005|p=98}} The design is so energy-efficient that, {{as of|2017|04|alt=in April 2017}}, it cost just £3.96 per opening.<ref>{{cite web|date=2017-03-23|title=Gateshead Millennium Bridge tilts|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/gateshead_millennium_bridge_tilt|access-date=2017-05-11|website=[[WhatDoTheyKnow]]|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Winn|first1=Christopher|title=I Never Knew That About England|publisher=[[Ebury Publishing]]|year=2005|isbn=9780091902070|location=[[London]]|page=74}}</ref> The appearance of the bridge during this manoeuvre has led to it being nicknamed the "Blinking Eye Bridge", and has solidified its reputation as being not only a functional piece of infrastructure but a spectacle in and of itself.<ref name="BBC-opening" />{{Sfn|Davey|Forster|2007|p=37}} The rotation of the bridge is also used as a self-cleaning mechanism, as rubbish collected on the deck rolls towards traps built at each end.{{Sfn|Petroski|2005|p=98}}

A lighting system designed by Jonathan Spiers and Associates is used at night to attractively illuminate the bridge without causing light pollution, as the cables are too thin to be visible or reflect light at night.{{Sfn|White|Fortune|2012|p=207}}{{Sfn|Blandford|2007|loc=para. 2.7 Colour}} The lights shine white during the week and a variety of colours over the weekend. Green and red LEDs are used during the day to alert cyclists and pedestrians to the bridge's opening and closing.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gateshead Millennium Bridge lighting|url=https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/4604/Gateshead-Millennium-Bridge-lighting|access-date=6 February 2022|website=[[Gateshead Council]]}}</ref>
{{gallery
|Too Late - geograph.org.uk - 336862.jpg|alt1=Picture of a close-up of the pedestrian and cycle arch while the bridge is tilting.|Close-up of the pedestrian and cycle arch while the bridge is tilting.
|Millennium Bridge - Hydraulic Rams - geograph.org.uk - 477276.jpg|alt2=Picture of the hydraulic rams which allow the bridge to fully tilt open in around 4 minutes.|The hydraulic rams allow the bridge to fully tilt open in around 4{{nbsp}}minutes.
|Millenium Bridge at dusk.jpg|alt3=Picture Gateshead Millennium Bridge lit purple at dusk.The lights on the bridge vary in colour over the weekend.|Gateshead Millennium Bridge lit purple at dusk. The lights on the bridge vary in colour over the weekend.
}}

=== Construction and installation ===
Gateshead Council selected Gateshead-based Harbour & General as the main contractor for the construction of the bridge. Harbour and General then selected over 12 sub-contractors to cover elements of construction including control systems, metalwork, lighting, and piling and river work.{{Sfn|White|Fortune|p=215|2012}} Consulting engineering group [[Ramboll]] provided further engineering, construction, and contract management services.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Gateshead Millennium Bridge|url=https://uk.ramboll.com/projects/ruk/gateshead%20millennium%20bridge|access-date=7 February 2022|website=Uk.ramboll.com}}</ref> The bridge's structure was modelled in [[LUSAS]] using 3D elements. LUSAS modelling allowed a model of the bridge to be built and allowed analysis of buckling forces, wind, and temperature.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gateshead Millennium Bridge|url=https://www.lusas.com/case/bridge/gateshead.html|access-date=7 February 2022|website=Lusas.com}}</ref>{{Sfn|White|Fortune|2012|p=217}} Another software – Pertmaster Professional – was used for risk and project management and cost analysis.{{Sfn|White|Fortune|2012|p=217}}

[[Severfield|Watson Steel]] was appointed as the specialist contractor to prefabricate the bridge, and they subcontracted the design of the hydraulic system to Kvaerner Markham.{{Sfn|Blandford|2007|loc=para. 3 Constructions}} The pre-fabricated sections of the bridge were [[shot-blasted]] and painted in Hadrian's Yard, {{Convert|6.5|km|mi|abbr=in}} from the bridge's final position.{{Sfn|Blandford|2007|loc=para. 3.2.1 Initial Assembly}}{{Sfn|LeCuyer|2003|p=38}} The entire structure was assembled by first welding together the nine arch sections and deck sections, and then attaching the cables to the arch and deck.{{Sfn|LeCuyer|2003|p=38}} Protective paintwork (Interzone 505 and Interthane 990 from [[International Paint|International Protective Coatings]])<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=2002|title=Protecting Gateshead's Millennium Bridge. The innovative Gateshead Millennium Bridge has been coated by IPC|magazine=[[Products Finishing]]|publisher=Sawell Publications ltd.|volume=55|issue=5|page=19|access-date=}}</ref> was applied to the arch before it was erected.{{Sfn|Blandford|2007|loc=para 3.2.3 Paintwork}}

The bridge was lifted into place in one piece by the [[Asian Hercules II]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/4601/Bridge-delivery-and-opening |website=[[Gateshead Council]] |title=Gateshead Millennium Bridge delivery and opening |access-date=2009-07-23 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> one of the world's largest [[Crane vessel|floating cranes]], on 20 November 2000.<ref name="BBC-opening" /> Whilst being transported by the crane, the bridge was rotated 90° in order to navigate narrow bends along the river.{{Sfn|LeCuyer|2003|p=38}} It was successfully slotted into threaded bolts in the piers with only {{Convert|3|mm|in|1|abbr=in}} of tolerance. Handrails, seating, and the hydraulic systems were installed after the bridge was in place.{{Sfn|Blandford|2007|loc=para. 3.4 Final Installations}} The transportation of the bridge took only one day and was a spectacle, attracting crowds of onlookers.{{Sfn|LeCuyer|2003|p=38}}

{{Multiple image
| image1            = Bollards west of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge (geograph 2557922).jpg
| image2            = Forth Sentinel at Gateshead Millennium Bridge (geograph 2806946).jpg
| footer            = The piles under Gateshead Millennium Bridge (left) were removed in 2012 (right).
}}

The [[Port of Tyne Authority]] required the design of the bridge to incorporate a vessel collision protection system. As a result, two rows of parallel fixed piles, splaying out diagonally on each side of the bridge, were installed. However, it became clear to members of the construction project team and WilkinsonEyre that they were unsightly and undermined "the finesse of the bridge". Between February and June 2000, the unsightly nature of the piles also caught the attention of the public, with multiple news articles and letters expressing discontent. Complaints pointed out that the [[Millennium Bridge, London|Millennium Bridge in London]] did not have similar piles, and that a [[Newcastle University]] boat race had to be moved specifically to avoid potential collision with the piles.{{Sfn|White|Fortune|2012|p=215}} Over time, Gateshead Council and the Harbourmaster noted that the piles were not required and they were removed in 2012 by [[BAM Nuttall Limited]]. This decision was ultimately less expensive than maintaining them.<ref>{{cite news|date=2012-03-16|title=Final River Tyne bollard removed|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-17403849|access-date=2012-08-01|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Sykes|first=Alan|date=8 March 2012|title=Gateshead and Newcastle's 'winking bridge' loses its painful piles|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/mar/08/blogpost-winking-bridge-newcastle-gateshead-millennium-sage-baltic|access-date=7 February 2022}}</ref>

== Regional and cultural significance ==
[[Image:2007£1.jpg|thumb|The bridge depicted on a 2007 [[British one pound coin]]]]Gateshead Millennium Bridge has retained its status as a significant local landmark and tourist attraction,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gateshead Millennium Bridge|url=https://www.visitbritain.com/gb/en/gateshead-millennium-bridge|access-date=20 February 2022|website=[[VisitBritain]]|date=13 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Gateshead Millennium Bridge|url=https://newcastlegateshead.com/business-directory/things-to-do/gateshead-millennium-bridge|access-date=20 February 2022|website=Newcastlegateshead.com}}</ref> not only built to develop the local area but also to establish local pride.<ref name=":4" /> It is one of several cultural landmarks on Gateshead Quays, including Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and [[Sage Gateshead]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Visit the Gateshead Millennium Bridge|url=https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/4598/Visit-the-Gateshead-Millennium-Bridge|access-date=20 February 2022|website=[[Gateshead Council]]}}</ref> It opens periodically for sightseers and for major events such as [[The Boat Race of the North]] and the [[Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Race]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=9 May 2015|title=Boat Race of the North returns after five-year absence|work=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-32672338|access-date=10 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=14 November 2002|title=Civic leaders celebrate return of The Tall Ships|work=[[The Northern Echo]]|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7053327.civic-leaders-celebrate-return-tall-ships/|access-date=10 February 2022}}</ref> The bridge also lights up to mark celebrations or dedications. For example, it was lit blue on 4 July 2020 as part of the 'Light it Blue' campaign celebrating the 72nd anniversary of the [[National Health Service|NHS]] and its contributions during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=9 July 2020|title=Gateshead Millennium Bridge to be lit blue for NHS birthday.|work=European Union News|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A629085953/ITOF?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=5b2243d3|access-date=10 February 2022|via=[[Gale (publisher)|Gale OneFile]]}}</ref> It was also lit green in April 2020 in recognition of social care workers.<ref>{{Cite news|date=29 April 2020|title=Bridge lights go green for social care.|work=European Union News|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A622442149/ITOF?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=678ff9d9|access-date=10 February 2022|via=[[Gale (publisher)|Gale OneFile]]}}</ref>

The bridge has been featured in film and on TV including the [[BBC]] TV drama ''[[55 Degrees North]]'' and the British 2005 film ''[[Goal! (film)|Goal!]]''.<ref name=":5" /> On 17 July 2005, [[Spencer Tunick]] used the bridge in an art installation: 1,700 people gathered together nude and were photographed around the Millennium and Tyne Bridges and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.{{Sfn|Davey|Forster|2007|p=44}}<ref>{{Cite news|last=Higgins|first=Charlotte|date=18 July 2005|title=Tynesiders take it all off in the name of art|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/jul/18/arts.artsnews|access-date=8 February 2022}}</ref> The bridge was pictured on a first-class [[Postage stamp|stamp]] in 2000,<ref name=":5" /> and a [[pound coin]] depicting the bridge was produced by the [[Royal Mint]] in 2007.<ref name=":3" />

=== Awards ===
Gateshead Millennium Bridge has won a total of 25 awards for design and lighting.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=Gateshead Millennium Bridge awards|url=https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/4605/Gateshead-Millennium-Bridge-awards|access-date=8 February 2022|website=[[Gateshead Council]]}}</ref> For the construction of the bridge, the architect WilkinsonEyre won the 2002 [[Royal Institute of British Architects]] (RIBA) [[Stirling Prize]].<ref>{{cite news|date=2002-06-11|title='Blinking-eye' bridge lands award|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2038662.stm|access-date=2008-09-24|df=dmy-all}}</ref> This was a somewhat controversial decision; although the RIBA judges described the bridge as a "truly heroic piece of engineering and construction", there was debate among the attendees of the awards ceremony as to whether it also counted as architecture, with some claiming that it was not a building. However, Jim Eyre of WilkinsonEyre argued that the feat did cross over into the boundary of architecture.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Cattermole|first=Paul|url=https://archive.org/details/buildingsfortomo0000catt/page/124/mode/2up|title=Buildings for tomorrow : architecture that changed our world|publisher=[[The Overlook Press]]|year=2007|isbn=9781585679904|location=Bath, UK; New York|pages=125|access-date=8 February 2022|via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Hetherington|first=Peter|date=14 October 2002|title=Elegant - but is it architecture?|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/oct/14/artsandhumanities.regeneration|access-date=20 February 2022}}</ref> WilkinsonEyre and [[Gifford (company)|Gifford]] also won the 2003 [[Structural Awards|IStructE Supreme Award]].<ref name="IStructE Supreme Award">{{cite web|title=Gateshead Millennium Bridge|url=http://www.istructe.org/stephenscityscape/gateshead_millennium_bridge.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716072309/http://www.istructe.org/stephenscityscape/gateshead_millennium_bridge.aspx|archive-date=2011-07-16|access-date=2009-09-11|publisher=IStructE|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The bridge was awarded the [[British Constructional Steelwork Association|British Constructional Steelwork Association's]] Structural Steel Design Award in 2002.{{Sfn|Jennings|2004|p=403}} In 2005, the bridge received the Outstanding Structure Award from the [[International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering]].<ref>[http://www.iabse.org/association/awards/ostrac/gateshead.php Outstanding Structure Award IABSE] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207152744/http://www.iabse.org/association/awards/ostrac/gateshead.php|date=7 December 2008}}</ref>

==References==

=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===

* {{Cite conference|last=Blandford|first=Z. A.|date=2007|title=A critical analysis of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge|url=https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/32726889/Blandford_gateshead_millenium-with-cover-page-v2.pdf?Expires=1645380704&Signature=d9BGAu4KNXvpLi8y15GgtIXaNVkY8icNH9iS24SufCRkQClw1zLHieOk2HYVh3lP13Ev9w2XAwEHE8ExSGwG9MoZ~BJUwwsJT0wjYSJXOurToOrd2dl02tpspCIUoZJE0L71tBbbDIf9ijbwbV3VM8uHeevWoRp6PHDX5u7lLqj23y8367R38PMeh9RvS01QBRmfPgOx2XkxnYnDcKytSbNYeNybPKowfVPMx8PXdilNwHy949Zbg5FXjN-KK-8Jpu2SxaQjandqWMXJ~tLayexspQZeSVRJOvPh6ox0Y5MzUQfgjUHB21Ieww27vsR1xFIDEtTtXzS3iooZMfXTDA__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA|conference=Bridge Engineering 2 Conference|publisher=[[University of Bath]]|access-date=20 February 2022|archive-date=20 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220171247/https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/32726889/Blandford_gateshead_millenium-with-cover-page-v2.pdf?Expires=1645380704&Signature=d9BGAu4KNXvpLi8y15GgtIXaNVkY8icNH9iS24SufCRkQClw1zLHieOk2HYVh3lP13Ev9w2XAwEHE8ExSGwG9MoZ~BJUwwsJT0wjYSJXOurToOrd2dl02tpspCIUoZJE0L71tBbbDIf9ijbwbV3VM8uHeevWoRp6PHDX5u7lLqj23y8367R38PMeh9RvS01QBRmfPgOx2XkxnYnDcKytSbNYeNybPKowfVPMx8PXdilNwHy949Zbg5FXjN-KK-8Jpu2SxaQjandqWMXJ~tLayexspQZeSVRJOvPh6ox0Y5MzUQfgjUHB21Ieww27vsR1xFIDEtTtXzS3iooZMfXTDA__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA|url-status=dead}}
* {{Cite book|last1=Davey|first1=Peter|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NW_UAAAAQBAJ|title=Exploring Boundaries : The Architecture of Wilkinson Eyre|last2=Forster|first2=Kurt W.|publisher=[[De Gruyter]]|year=2007|isbn=9783764383077}}
* {{Cite book|last=Jennings|first=Alan|url=https://archive.org/details/structuresfromth0000jenn/page/1/mode/2up|title=Structures : from theory to practice|publisher=Spon Press|year=2004|isbn=0415268427|location=London; New York}}
* {{Cite book|last=LeCuyer|first=Annette|url=https://archive.org/details/steelbeyondnewst0000lecu/mode/2up|title=Steel and beyond : new strategies for metals in architecture|publisher=[[Birkhäuser]]|year=2003|isbn=3-7643-6494-7|location=Boston, MA}}
* {{Cite book|last=Petroski|first=Henry|url=https://archive.org/details/pushinglimits00henr/mode/2up?|title=Pushing the limits : new adventures in engineering|publisher=[[Vintage Books]]|year=2005|isbn=1-4000-3294-6|location=New York}}
* {{Cite journal|last1=White|first1=Diana|last2=Fortune|first2=Joyce|date=2012|title=Using systems thinking to evaluate a major project|url=|journal=Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management|volume=19|issue=2|pages=205–228|doi=10.1108/09699981211206124}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Gateshead Millennium Bridge}}
* {{Structurae|id=20001254|title=Gateshead Millennium Bridge}}
*[http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Leisure%20and%20Culture/attractions/bridge/ Gateshead Council page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426095041/http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Leisure%20and%20Culture/attractions/bridge/ |date=26 April 2012 }}
* [http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/GatesheadMillenniumBridge/ Gateshead Millennium Bridge] by Sándor Kabai, [[The Wolfram Demonstrations Project]].
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJFqK20ISp8 Gateshead Millennium Bridge] [[YouTube]]
*[https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/4605/Gateshead-Millennium-Bridge-awards Gateshead Millennium Bridge awards]

{{River item box
|River       = [[River Tyne]]
|upstream    = [[Tyne Bridge]]
|upsub       = {{UK road|A167}} and {{UK NCN route|route=725|regional=true}}
|downstream  = [[Tyne Tunnel#Tyne cyclist and pedestrian tunnels|Tyne Pedestrian & Cycle Tunnel]]
|type        = crossing
|location    = NZ256639}}

{{IStructE Supreme Award laureates}}

[[Category:Bridges completed in 2001]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures celebrating the 3rd millennium]]
[[Category:Bridges in Gateshead]]
[[Category:Bridges in Newcastle upon Tyne]]
[[Category:2001 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Crossings of the River Tyne]]
[[Category:High-tech architecture]]
[[Category:Pedestrian bridges in England]]
[[Category:Tilt bridges]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Tyne and Wear]]