BRIDGE TO BE NAMED
The voting is closed – but the result remains in the balance!
Time is up for people to have their say on what the New Wear Crossing should be called, with the final result set to be confirmed on Monday morning.
A three-name shortlist was suggested for the new £117million bridge, which is on schedule to open in the spring.
The options were Northern Spire, The Prism and Lumen Point.
More than 10,000 people took part in the online vote, which closed yesterday.
That had Northern Spire leading the way with 5,057 votes (49%), followed by Lumen Point with 3,509 votes (34%) and The Prism with 1,754 votes (17%).
Now, postal votes and email votes are being counted before the final totals are revealed at 10.15am on Monday and the name of the bridge is confirmed. Northern Spire was shortlisted by the panel because it felt that “Northern” was reflective of the regional significance of the bridge, beyond the city and that the definition of “Spire” was a good fit for the 105-metre tall pinnacle of the new bridge, as it reaches for the skies!
The Prism was chosen as it represents another link to Sunderland’s proud industrial heritage in terms of glass making.
And Lumen Point was picked because it gives a nod to our city’s history and heritage and connections to light, reflective of the city’s links with Sir Joseph Swan, the British inventor of the electric light bulb.
Want to be first to know what the New Wear Crossing will be called?
The Echo will be bringing you the big announcement live on our Facebook page at 10.15am on Monday morning, so be sure to follow us for the result as it happens.