Sunderland Keel Crossing: FOI reveals the weird and wonderful alternatives

BBC News

18-06-2025

If 14 people had their way, anyone crossing the newest route over the River Wear would be doing so on Bridgey McBridgeface. A public vote resulted in Sunderland's new footbridge being called Keel Crossing but, despite it being nine years since Boaty McBoatface topped a poll of names for the UK's new polar research ship, the play on words still seemed popular. For some, the chance to make a pun or a political point was too good to miss - with Bridge-it Jones, the Please Fix the Potholes Instead Bridge and Régis Le Bridge all being submitted.The 1,705 submissions - outlandish and sensible alike - where whittled down to a final three by a panel of representatives from community organisations across the city, with the final choice giving a nod to the "city's rich shipbuilding history", Sunderland City Council said.
The new £31m footbridge, which is due to open in the summer, links the city's Keel Square with the Sheepfolds and the Stadium of Light.Many of the name suggestions revealed in response to a Freedom of Information request by the BBC reflect the city's heritage and heroes.However, many took the vote as an opportunity for a bit of fun with five people suggesting Footy McFootbridge and 31 calling for Régis Le Bridge, after Sunderland head coach and former French football manager, Régis le Bris.The rather plaintive Would Rather Have Crowtree Back Bridge and Please Fix The Potholes Instead Bridge had one vote each.
Drama series Bridgerton was also among the names inspired by TV and film, while Wor Bridgit was another strong word play entry.With an older reference, and making good use of the local dialect, one person suggested The Bridge over the River, Aye, and another opted for The Bridge over the River, Niall - a nod to former Sunderland striker Niall Quinn.Education secretary and Houghton and Sunderland South MP Bridget Phillipson missed out on being immortalised with Bridgey Phillipson.Another two people took the naming task more literally and suggested calling the 260m (853ft) structure Brian, or Colin.
Football was a popular theme, with many people taking inspiration from the crossing's proximity to Sunderland AFC's home at the Stadium of Light.Dozens suggested The Bridge of Light and variations on the words Black Cats, Stadium and Mackem.Many wanted to name the bridge after six-year-old Bradley Lowery, who died of a rare form of cancer in 2017.Miners, shipbuilders and shipyards, lightbulb inventor Joseph Swan, the Wear, and the brewer Vaux were also popular topics.
'Sight to behold'
But ultimately the chance of calling the crossing Bridgey McBridgeface was slim, given the 86 suggestions that included the word Keel.Any chance of a quirky sense of humour landing the city with a name it might regret was also averted by only letting Sunderland residents vote on a shortlist of three.Keel Crossing - named after the structural backbone of a ship - was chosen with 55% of the votes, beating Wear Crossing and Beacon Bridge.
City council leader Michael Mordey said the bridge was important as it extended the city centre to make areas such as the National Esports Arena, Sheepfolds Housing, and the Stadium of Light more accessible."I think I speak for every fan when I say I can't wait to see the spectacle of the Keel Crossing being transformed into a sea of red and white shirts and scarfs come matchdays," he said."It will be a real sight to behold."
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