What's happening?

• Economic impact study now underway

• Study conclusions so far
  • Potential 9 million population within 1½ hour drive
  • Conservative estimate is bridge could attract 150,000 extra visitors to Teesdale each year
  • Data from Alnwick Gardens, Hadrian's Wall & Eden Project shows day visitors spend an average £16.50/day in the area. Holiday-makers spend £48/day
  • If 150,000 day visitors alone spend £16.50 each, that equals an extra £2,475,000 per year in the local economy
  • Overnight stay visitors will spend nearly three times as much as day visitors - so these figures are very conservative!

• Detail
  • Local infrastructure implications, car parking, services
  • Operation/ownership/life cycle
  • Marketing/maintenance costs, etc
  • Costs, sources of funds
  • Safety