Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman helps to open key footbridge

Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman, Cllr Stephen Psallidas, was at the official opening on Jan. 22nd of the spectacular new footbridge which links the new Northumbria University campus at Manors with the city centre campus.

The bridge was opened by top Government business envoy Digby, Lord Jones, and the event was also attended by the Lord Mayor and the Lib Dem leader of Newcastle Council, Cllr John Shipley.

Stephen said: "When the new University campus was being proposed several years ago, I helped to put pressure on to get the bridge built. It was clearly going to be needed, to help carry the large numbers of students walking or cycling from the city centre to both the new campus, and the new student halls south of New Bridge Street. It would clearly benefit residents of the southern parts of Shieldfield. I also wanted to make sure that people coming up from the Quayside nightspots did not walk through the residential areas of Falconar St and Napier St to reach the old footbridge.

I am very pleased to have been able to help get the bridge built, and to be at the official opening several years later. I would like to pay tribute also to Northumbria University for agreeing to fund the multi-million pound project, and delivering such a high-quality structure. In return, the Council has agreed to fund the bridge's future maintenance. This is an excellent example of partnership between the Council and a major employer and wealth creator in the city."