Bowstring Bridge security concerns leads to £25,000 rise in demolition bill
Concerns over security caused the final bill for dismantling the Bowstring Bridge to rise by £25,000.
Work to remove the structure in Leicester's West End cost was expected to cost up to £472,000, but ended up costing £497,000.
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Karen Green chained herself to the Bowstring bridge in a protest, in November
Leicester City Council said most of the extra cash was spent on additional security.
This was needed because of threats, received by the council and demolition company CMEC Demolition, to disrupt the work.
The rest of the increase was the cost of the work being delayed for a day when a protester chained herself to the bridge, which spanned Western Boulevard, near Braunstone Gate.
The 19th century bridge and nearby Pump and Tap pub were demolished after the council agreed they should make way for De Montfort University to build a new sports centre.
Patrick Kitterick, Cabinet member for regeneration, said the threats received were discussed with the police, who advised extra security at the site.
"I can't go into much detail but we took the decision to ensure the safety of the workers on the site and actually the safety of somebody who might climb on the bridge," he said.
"I personally received threats to disrupt the work, but there were also other incidents surrounding that that I didn't take that seriously.
"So having had that level of reaction, we discussed it with the police. You could say spending £25,000 on alternative security was a prudent measure."
Lee Mullen, of Highfields, Leicester, led a Facebook campaign against the demolition of the bridge and pub.
He said: "The right to protest and question is a keystone civil right, essential in liberal democracies.
"The cost of protest is irrelevant, but they could have saved £472,000 by not knocking the bridge and pub down and ruining the area."
Protester Karen Green secured herself to the bridge for a day in November last year. Ms Green, of Oak Street, off Humberstone Road, Leicester, pleaded guilty to trespassing on land and preventing people from demolishing the bridge at Leicester Magistrates' Court and was given a conditional discharge.
A city council spokesman said: "We anticipated the cost of the Bowstring Bridge works, and accompanying road closure, to be up to £472,000.
"In the event, we had to provide additional security on site throughout the project at a cost of £18,000 due to threats of disruption.
"When the work was delayed for one day due to a protester chaining herself to the bridge, this cost an additional £7,300, as the demolition contractor still had to pay for the heavy equipment that was on hire, as well as for their staff for a day when they were inactive."
24 Comments
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by Leicester, Leicester
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 9:39AM
“Security issues that they can't divulge on. Just another lie. Money grabbing fools, to put it politely. So where's this pool then? The bridge has been down for how long. Or are we just going to be looking at the derelict arches for another 6 years? I prefered it with the bridge there instead of a gaping hole with nothing going on!”
by JRW, Desford
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 3:39PM
“Why are the Arches still standind ??????”
by Tel, City Centre
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 3:11PM
“Chris, DMU DO own the land. They paid a shedload to a certain group of brothers (and I don't mean the Council) to get it.
Time for the Merc to start publishing some real news instead of yet again indiulging those who mourn the loss of a rusting drug-den.”
by Chris, West End, Leicester
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 2:48PM
“I don't think DMU have paid anything to date and do not yet own the land.
My understanding is that they will pay £1 (yes, one whole English pound) for the land. This will be followed by another payment of several hundred thousand on gaining planning permisison (which pretty much ensures they will get it) and a third payment at a later date (possibly on the opening of the new building).
Plans have not yet been submitted so I expect we're a long way from seeing any development.
With the position most universities now find themselves in (cap on numbers, lowering of funding, threat of fines for overrecruiting, drop out rates [London MET]) I have to wonder whether any new building plans will have to be put on hold for now.”
by sceptical, Leicester
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 2:30PM
“"My Crydee is about 6-8 miles from the centre of Leicester "
Where?? I have never seen or heard of such a place on a map in Leicestershire.”
by LM, Leicester
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 2:27PM
“Ahhh, now I see Kulgan!! it's from a book. I was thinking along the lines of a play on words. At least i know now.
It always amazes me with the whole bowstring bridge saga, how people blame the council, and defend the Pump & Tap!! If there is anyone to blame it'd be the owners of the pub, if they hadn't have sold to the DMU there would have been no bid for the bridge, and the land might have been worth more if it wasn't surrounded by DMU land.”
by Bhiku, Anon
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 1:52PM
“DMU want to develop right. Well if the John Sandford Sports Centre gets listed then it would have been pointless to knock the bridge down as they won¿t be able to develop anyway. It¿s all just to wind up the public.”
by Kulgan, Crydee
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 1:46PM
“Sorry, used the wrong there when saying Mrs Kulgan worked there. Doh.”
by Kulgan, Crydee
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 1:45PM
“Thank You Milamber, I hope Katala, William and Gamina are well.
Daniel, my Crydee is about 6-8 miles from the centre of Leicester. Mrs Kulgan works at the LRI and I dropped her off their this morning.
Sorry LM, I did answer your question with a link but the online staff have not posted it. Google 'Magician by Raymond E Feist'.”
by Daniel, Leicester
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 1:28PM
“I can never understand why people like Kulgan, Crydee are that interested in Leicester if they dont live anywhere near it!? if indeed Crydee is where he / she comes from.”