Published on: 28 May 2025
Sunderland's newest landmark is one step closer to officially being named – and now it’s up to the people of the city to vote on the winner.
A panel of representatives from community organisations across the city met to review the hundreds of names submitted by the public for the new Wear footbridge, the favoured choices have been whittled down to a final three, which will now go to the public vote.
The choices are Keel Crossing, Wear Crossing and Beacon Bridge and you can vote for your favourite by visiting Your Sunderland, a new platform launched today by Sunderland City Council with the aim of putting community voices at the heart of local decision-making.
The bridge will carry people on foot across the River Wear. It is a short distance from the Trust's new eye hospital. The building will open in 2026 and see services move from Sunderland Eye Infirmary, which is no longer fit for purpsose.
Sunderland City Council received more than 1,000 submissions after inviting members of the public to help name the new bridge.
Cllr Michael Mordey, leader of Sunderland City Council, said:
"We were overwhelmed by how many residents got on board with the bridge naming suggestions.
"We received over 1,000 in total, which shows just how much the campaign captured the hearts and imaginations of residents.
"I’m sure it was a tough task for the panel cutting the list down to a final three, however after careful consideration and deliberation I believe they’ve finally settled on very befitting names.
"It’s a great shortlist and it’s only right that the public get the final vote on what it should be called. This public vote will give residents the opportunity to play their part in shaping our city’s future – so get voting for your favourite!
"We’ve had stories of entire families, school classes and community groups coming together to think of names, so hopefully this next stage will spark even more excitement."
The panel who selected the final three names was made up of people, representing an array of organisations and communities, including Rob Lawson OBE, Chair of Sunderland Business Partnership and a former editor of the Sunderland Echo; Marty Longstaff, singer and songwriter from The Lake Poets who wrote and sang ‘Shipyards’, the theme song from Netflix documentary ’Sunderland Til I Die’, a doctor and a member of Youth Parliament - among others.
The panel which helped pick the shortlist of names for the new bridge.
Rob believes “the passion and knowledge of the city and its people of those sitting on the panel was key to producing a shortlist of names that will hopefully capture the hearts and imaginations of residents for generations to come.”
He said:
"We received so many fantastic submissions that it was hard to narrow them down, but we are confident that we have now settled on four very fitting names.
"The creativity shown, particularly through some of the football and history related names has impressed us greatly.
"It was a really interesting project to be part of and I’m proud as a resident of this fantastic city to have played a small part, alongside thousands of others, in helping to shape its future."
The footbridge naming vote will be the first feature to go live on Your Sunderland, the new platform launched by Sunderland City Council to strengthen its commitment to putting residents at the heart of local decision-making.
Launching today, the platform offers a simple, accessible way for people to share their views and encourages the community to get involved in shaping the city’s future.
Cllr Mordey added:
"We said we would be a Council that listens to residents and devolves more power to the people and Your Sunderland is a great example of how we are doing just that.
"By providing an open forum where residents can have a say on ongoing city developments and projects, we’re ensuring people of all ages and backgrounds have a chance to shape the decisions that directly impact their lives and communities.
"It’s a great example of how we’re not only listening but also acting upon the views and concerns of residents to create a better, safer, cleaner Sunderland for all."
The new Wear footbridge is being built by VolkerStevin on behalf of Sunderland City Council and is a central pillar in the development of Riverside Sunderland, one of the UK’s most ambitious urban regeneration projects.
Ten metres wide and spanning 260 metres, at a height of 30m above the river, the footbridge is one of several high-profile developments currently under construction at Riverside Sunderland, alongside the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA), Maker & Faber, Culture House, the new Eye Hospital and Vaux Housing.
To vote visit www.sunderland.gov.uk/your-sunderland by 5pm on Friday June 6th, when voting closes.
