The President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has visited sites across Berwick-upon-Tweed and two of the NE’s most prestigious new developments during his annual visit to the North East.
Above (L-R): ICE President Paul Jowitt; ICE North East Regional Director Stephen Larkin and Stephenson 150 Committee Chairman Bernard Shaw.
Professor Paul Jowitt, President of ICE officially unveiled three Interpretation Panels at Berwick Station to acknowledge the 160th anniversary of Robert Stephenson’s Royal Border Bridge across the Tweed which was officially opened by Queen Victoria on 29 August 1850.
The panels, which will be permanently installed on the concourse at Berwick-upon-Tweed station, form part of the legacy of the Stephenson 150 Festival, held in Berwick upon Tweed during 2009, which commemorated the 150th anniversary of the death of its designer, civil engineer and rail pioneer Robert Stephenson.
Paul Jowitt said: “Robert Stephenson is one of the most famous and renowned past presidents of the ICE, so to be unveiling these panels is a huge honour and I am very proud to be following in the footsteps of such a great civil engineering pioneer.
Professor Jowitt then continued on to Berwick Middle School to speak to pupils, while they completed a bridge building activity using paper tubes. ICE ambassadors and ICE NE’s Regional Education Co-ordinator spent the afternoon with Year Five pupils to judge their bridge making skills, marking them on strength, how well they were built and sustainability.
On Thursday 29th April, Paul Jowitt visited the project site for the New Tyne Crossing. The New Tyne Crossing is arguably one of the most significant projects to shape the infrastructure of the North East for many years.
Above (L-R): ICE President Paul Jowitt and Andrew Coapes Technical Manager TT2
The tunnel is being built to help with the growing customer demands for easing congestion on this route. Professor Jowitt was the first guest to be taken through into the River Tunnel Section.
Paul Jowitt, President of ICE said: “Being the first person to be able to walk through into the River Tunnel Section was a great honour. This development is an example of how growth within the engineering industry has had a positive affect on the region.”
In Sunderland, Paul Jowitt was shown the site of the second phase of the Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor and new Wear bridge project where he met Project Director David Abdy and members of the bridge team.
Above (L-R): Ed Wallage - Structure & New Works Manager Sunderland Council, Greg Lutton - ICE NE Chairman, Paul Jowitt - ICE President, David Abdy - Project Director - New Wear Bridge.
The bridge's design came from an international design competition and is a cable-stayed structure more than 300 metres long. Its tall sculptured masts, which would make it England's tallest bridge, support a slender road deck.
Greg Lutton, Chairman of ICE said: “It was really insightful to see the progressing site for the planned bridge construction across the River Wear. The design for the bridge sounds exciting and innovative and I am looking forward to seeing the finished product.
“Here in the North East we have some of the best examples of civil engineering, with projects delivering pioneering design and skilled workmanship. The Robert Stephenson Awards and the ICE’s President’s visit gives us the chance to highlight them.”
Professor Jowitt will round off his visit to the region by presenting the 2010 Robert Stephenson Awards at the annual ICE North East Dinner on Thursday night, April 29.