Readers name bridge after Wainwright

8:44pm Monday 31st March 2008

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By David Watkinson »

BLACKBURN'S landmark £10million bridge is to be named after Alfred Wainwright after a poll by Lancashire Telegraph readers.

Readers have been voting in their hundreds to chose a name for the Freckleton Street structure, which is due for completion this summer and has already had a dramatic impact on the skyline.

After three weeks of voting, the famous walking guide author came out on top with almost half of all of the votes cast.

Bosses at Blackburn with Darwen Council came up with a shortlist of seven famous names from Blackburn's past and asked Telegraph readers to chose the one they wanted.

He was followed in the voting by author Josephine Cox, singer Kathleen Ferrier and former Blackburn Rovers owner Jack Walker.

Votes were cast on our website and hundreds of posted votes were also received.

Mr Wainwright was born in Blackburn in 1907 and found fame as an author through the many walking guides he wrote about the Lakeland fells.

But readers were also able to suggest their own favourite in addition to the list.

Coun Colin Rigby, leader of the council, said: "I am glad that so many people have voted and had a say in the naming of the bridge.

"It will be here for generations to come so it is only right that people of the borough have helped to decide what it should be called.

"Wainwright made his name writing about the Lake District and he is famous world-wide. I have some of his books at home from when I used to go walking in the lakes. They are classics.""

Wainwright was a very private man, who donated all the money from his books to animal charities.

He was born in Audley Range, close to the eastern end of the bridge and worked for some time in the treasurer's office in the town hall.

His books are a permanent record of the landmarks and lakes of the national park.

He was also founded Blackburn Rovers Supporters Club."

Council executives and senior councillors along with Blackburn MP Jack Straw put the shortlist together before voting began on March 10.

Work began on the 800-tonne steel structure last September.

The Freckleton Street dual carriageway will form part of a £12million scheme to transform the area, with a new road creating a link from Bolton Road to Barbara Castle Way.

A naming ceremony will be held later in the summer.