Millennium Mania

There is a race against the clock in Jubilee Gardens to build the £20m British Airways London Eye (Millennium Wheel) in time for the start of the year 2000.

Permission for the building plans was given last month by the Port of London Authority. The 443 foot structure is being built over the Thames with eight temporary islands as supports. When upright the observation wheel will be higher than Big Ben opposite.

Passengers will enjoy amazing views over a 30-mile radius from the 32 hi-tech capsules, which take half-an-hour to make one complete rotation. Tickets will be available from the autumn, priced £6.95 adult, £4.80 child.

Components and expertise are coming from all over Europe. The main structure is by British Steel, the engineers are Hollandia from the Netherlands, the hub and spindle will arrive by river from the Czech Republic, main bearings are German, spokes are Italian and testing has been carried out, using a capsule mock-up, in France.

Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was on Bankside last month for the launch of the Millennium Bridge, linking the Tate Gallery of Modern Art with St Paul's Cathedral. Designed by Sir Norman Foster, central London's frist footbridge since Roman times is due to open in April 2000.

Speaking at the launch, he said that the bridge will be instrumental in "linking the City to the exciting new cultural developments on the South Bank".