Last night myself, Guy Winter, and Roy Cane, were meant to see Ian Harris’s new play Rhonna’s Tears, but we discovered on ordering a glass or two of wine the play had been cancelled due to a family death.

So, no play, but a lot of wine and talk about starting the first Stratford International Festival of Literature, and bridges, especially one to replace the 15th century Clopton Bridge which is in danger of falling into the Avon, hence Roy’s letter to the Stratford Council below - which is a damned good idea…

Bridges: A Greater Aspiration

Following two good conversations about bridges with representatives from the Local Authority, I am left with these thoughts. The scheme seems to be rather small beer, it fiddles with things. It has just as much potential to be really rather exciting as it has to become an utter mess.

Only two of the alternatives, The Boomerang and Twisted Thing (my descriptions) begin to excite me, but only just begin to.

The brief to not interfere with the skyline and silhouette of trees and Holy Trinity Church downgrade and strangle ambition and are the downfall of inspiration.

‘Iconic’ and ‘World Class’ are labels used. Nothing, or at best, very little of this scheme is either. The scheme becomes chaff, obscuring the view of the real ugly problem.

There should be a greater aspiration, a bigger ambition, to create something that inspires excitement and pride and a tremendous experience for Stratford and for visitors.

The real ugly problem is Clopton Bridge, or rather the traffic on Clopton Bridge. This beautiful bridge is a sad disgrace as an approach to Stratford. Remove traffic from Clopton Bridge, liberating it and the whole area by the Gower Memorial for grass, trees, seating, and walk ways, all for people to enjoy. With Clopton Bridge freed of traffic, there is then the capacity for a dedicated and safe pedestrian and cycle route for all: - People who live south of The River and visitors alike

My suggestion is this: - Be bold in vision.

Build a new bridge over the River Avon upstream of Clopton Bridge. This should be a Multi purpose Road Crossing with separated cycle lane and footpaths. A diagonal route from Warwick Road to The Alveston Manor junction would suffice.

The existing gyratory road becomes no through way to traffic but is two way working for businesses, parking, Leisure Centre and 999.

Purpose built traffic management for Tiddington Road and Swan’s Nest Lane can be provided.

At the Warwick Road end of the new bridge road there is ample space for some exciting projects which should exemplify various aspects of ‘greenness’.

Build low rise Car Parking for:-

Park and Ride: Park and Walk, Park and River Boat Ride and even Park and Horse Drawn Ride services and routes to the new and existing open areas.

Electric or Hybrid fuel Buses or Trams and Boats would be based there and operate from early morning until Chucking Out Time, whenever that might be these days.

Build this and associated road, path and track with terracing for planting and to slow down run off of rain water to the river.

The current scheme does not really solve any problems. If anything it imagines that cyclists want to cross the River downstream of the Theatre. I suggest building something that inspires, creates and solves problems as well.

This is an opportunity for a remarkable and exciting piece of engineering and design in its own right. A spectacular bridge, something people want to come to see, photograph, drive over, walk over, cycle over and navigate under. All of these things and more in its own right. A piece of theatre in design.

Roy Cane