Bowstring Bridge demolition leaves 'gaping hole' in part of Leicester
Campaigners against the demolition of a popular pub and a Victorian bridge say they are devastated to see "how quickly history can be wiped out".
The last pieces of the Bowstring Bridge were removed last week, and a "gaping hole" now occupies the site of the former Pump and Tap, in Leicester's West End.
The building had stood in Duns Lane, off Braunstone Gate, for more than 180 years.
Work to remove the 19th century bridge began in October after Leicester City Council agreed it should be demolished to enable De Montfort University to build a sports centre and swimming pool on the site.
Crews began work to take down the pub at the end of November, just a day after former leaseholder John Husain handed over the keys.
Mr Husain, who ran the venue for more than 20 years, said he was shocked to see how quickly the pub was knocked down.
He said: "It's shocking the speed at which it's been done.
"Both the bridge and pub have left a gaping hole in that part of the West End.
"It's devastating how quickly history can be wiped out. It's a disgrace.
"I was watching a film the other day on the wartime blitz, where someone walks out of their house and half their street has come down. It's that feeling I had when I saw it."
Protesters had been fighting for two years to save the historic bridge and pub. Thousands of people joined online internet support groups, signed a petition and held rallies. But their efforts were in vain.
Campaigner Lee Mullen, of Highfields, has now set up the Remember The Pump and Tap and the Bowstring Bridge on social networking site Facebook, as a "memorial, tribute and forum for the Bowstring Bridge and our beloved Pump and Tap pub".
The 34-year-old said: "Leicester City Council and De Montfort University have betrayed the legacy of Leicester."
A De Montfort University spokesman said: "When this subject was covered in the Leicester Mercury in early November, we stated then that our aim was to complete the preparation of the site, including the demolition of the Pump and Tap pub, as soon as possible."
20 Comments
View all
by Bens Buddy, Perth
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 3:02PM
“I live in Australia and I feel for the people who are mourning the loss of this bridge. What is going to be put up there is a worry. We don't have very much history here,being such a young country,and some that we had,the powers-that-be decided (in the '80's)that we should have modern buildings to go with our "modern" city.Monstrosity after monstrosity of concrete and glass went up as we lost beautifully designed buildings,etc.NOW,the powers that be are regretting what they did,but have no recourse but to carry on doing it as anything remotely resembling beauty would be out of place.Don't let them do this to your lovely city(e.g. that wall of glass).Keep your history,'cos once it's gone,nothing can bring it back.”
by Johnny C, Leicester
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 1:27PM
“THE ROAD IS NOW FULLY OPEN.
HURRAH!”
by Nick Fitzsimons, Westcotes
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 1:03PM
“'A De Montfort University spokesman said: "When this subject was covered in the Leicester Mercury in early November, we stated then that our aim was to complete the preparation of the site, including the demolition of the Pump and Tap pub, as soon as possible."' - what they fail to add is that as recently as August they told the Mercury that they had not yet decided whether the pub was to be demolished: "...We don't know yet whether we have to do it or not." http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/bowstringbridge/Historic-bridge-demolished-says-university/article-1225064-detail/article.html
It seems that we are expected to forget statements they made when they thought it might be possible to dampen down some of the negative publicity, and only remember those things they said once they had decided they had nothing to lose by openly displaying their contempt for the community.
DMU realise what a public relations nightmare they have created for themselves by their arrogance. Their deceptively selective quotations of their own statements should be countered, to demonstrate the way they seek to manipulate and conceal the facts of their behaviour.”
by KM, Nearby
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 12:57PM
“LOL!!! I walk down there every day and my knuckles don't drag.
What a nice welcome change to have something new there.
I for one would like a Gym closer to home.”
by Paul, Oadby
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 12:55PM
“Anybody seen the plans for the new building yet, i'm expecting the builder to make at start soon as we cannot have a drink in the pub this Christmas.......”
by Chris Jones, leicester
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 12:46PM
“Nice and bright down that area now, look up and you can see the sun and sky. much better than the dark miserable bridge!”
by Ashley, Leicester
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 12:20PM
“Karen
Luddites, obviously, was not quite right than. Perhaps more polite than straightforward idiots, though.
Maybe I was putting my point across too subtly. What I was trying to get at was - the bridge and pub have gone, the other few hundred thousand people of the city couldn't care less, and this ceased to be news a long time ago.
Perhaps with all of the people who are homeless, living in poverty, having to choose between eating and staying warm or otherwise disadvanaged this Christmas, you could maybe find a more worthy cause to devote your admittedly admirable campaigning spirit to?”
by Kulgan, Crydee
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 11:48AM
“Karen,
I suggest you re-read my comment. You don't seem to have grasped what is being said. Also, just because someone else calls you a lazy layabout etc, and it wasn't me (I just checked), doesn't mean you should call other people names. Have some respect for yourself. Two wrongs don't make a right and quite frankly, sounds rather childish.
The music analogy was that as with beauty, they are subjective things. Not everyone likes the same music nor people find beauty in the same things. Perhaps 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder' would have served better.
I believe that you should take some of your own advice and think on. Finally, I didn't ask for the bridge to be torn down, but like English Heritage, I don't think it was worth listing.”
by Craig, Frustrated this is still in the news
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 11:46AM
“Why oh why oh why oh why oh why is the Leicester Mercury STILL banging on about this bridge?! Actually if you asked the majority of people, they dont really care! I feel for those who worked endlessly to try and preserve the bridge HOWEVER let us move on with our lives, there will be somthing else for you to moan about soon enough!”
by Richard, Leicester
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 11:45AM
“Karen
Do your comments not drag you down to the same level of those that supposidly lambasted you?
You also then dismiss a (quite valid) comparison about musical tastes and then compare this bridge to the pyramides!
Perhaps getting a bit of perspective may help?”