Olypmic Rower Opens Inlet
02 October 2008
OLYMPIC ROWER OPENS NEWLY CREATED HARBOUR INLET
Olympic rower and gold medallist Lieutenant Peter Reed has officially opened the newly created Harbour Inlet at Crest Nicholson's mixed use development in the city centre.
Peter Reed, who is a member of the Great Britain rowing team and double World Champion in the flagship coxless four, is no stranger to the city as he is a former University of the West of England student. He rowed in the city docks while studying to become a naval engineer and became Boat Club President in 2002.
The opening of the Harbour Inlet marks a significant step in the completion of the Brunel Mile, which is an historic walk stretching from Temple Meads railway station to the SS Great Britain.
The opening of the inlet means that the final link has been made in the Brunel Mile as the ferry can now run from the inlet to the SS Great Britain on the south side of the harbour.
For the first time in many years there is access through this former derelict industrial wasteland onto the water's edge. The public can now walk from Pero's Bridge, through the new Harbour Inlet and connect with Hotwell Road.
The pontoons are now open allowing boats to moor alongside and the popular harbour ferry can now pick up commuters and shoppers alike from here, dropping them off in the city centre or at Temple Meads station.
The Harbour Inlet used to form part of the old Rope Walk, where ropes were twisted into lengths down from the Rope Works which were excavated recently and are just behind the Ibis Hotel.
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Crest Nicholson Regeneration Managing Director Debbie Aplin said: “The opening of the Harbour Inlet has marked a significant point in the construction of this regeneration scheme in Bristol and demonstrates how we have opened up the harbour to the benefit of those who live in and visit Bristol. We were delighted that Peter Reed was able to join us to celebrate this occasion”.
Guests were taken on a tour of the city docks on board the Matthew. Canons were fired and 1,000 helium balloons let off to mark the Inlet opening.
Churngold Construction ltd was the contractor responsible for the design, engineering and formation of the Harbour Inlet.
Churngold Managing Director Andrew Brown said: “Churngold is extremely pleased to have been responsible, along with Crest Nicholson Regeneration, for the construction of the first major change to the shape of the historic Floating Harbour in over 100 years. The construction of the new Harbour Inlet involved some challenging technical and health and safety issues and would not have been possible without the professionalism and teamwork of our project team, our engineers Arup and the Bristol City Council Harbourmaster's team, whose help and assistance was vital to the successful delivery of this project”.
ENDS 29th September 2008
Issued on behalf of Crest Nicholson Regeneration by Empica Ltd. For further information contact Liz Lewis on (01275) 394400.