• London SE1
• News
• February 1999

Work starts on Millennium Bridge & Wheel

Work on the Millennium Bridge has started and is currently ten days ahead of the completion date set for the spring of Millennium Year. The new footbridge will link the new Tate to St Paul's Cathedral.

Next month the concrete island in front of the power station will disappear with the rubble being taken away by barge. Meanwhile archaeologists will be arriving on Bankside to see if any revetments can be discovered before work on the bridge's south end begins. News of any finds by the Museum of London's team will be announced on the hoarding's notice boards. Cables will be thrown across the water in November with a visible 370 metre long crossing in place by December.

The riverside Thames Path is remaining open throughout the work and later this month passers-by will be able to walk on a short sample stretch of the 4 metre wide bridge which has been erected on dry land. The opening ceremony is set for Wednesday 19 April 2000.

Meanwhile work on the British Airways London Eye near County Hall is also under way. The new attraction will be operated by the Tussauds Group, and will feature a pier for river services to the Millennium Dome. The London Eye (formerly the Millennium Wheel) will be 450 ft high and will be the largest observation wheel in the world. 32 capsules will carry passengers on a 30 minute journey taking in some of the best views of London.