'It's such a historic moment for our city, it's better than Wembley Way'

"It's better than Wembley Way," says George Clarke as the Washington-born presenter and architect was among the first to walk the city's new Keel Crossing.

- by Katy Wheeler

There's still some cosmetic works to be done to the new River Wear crossing, so it's not finished just yet, but the bridge was fully open throughout yesterday, to coincide with the Women's Rugby World Cup.

Thousands of people were expected to make their way over the bridge, which George has hailed as a real game-changer for the city.

"I can't quite believe it, to be honest with you. To be one of the first people to walk over our new pedestrian bridge is the stuff of dreams, genuinely, because we've done so much regeneration in the city," he said.

The pedestrian bridge is a cornerstone development in the Riverside masterplan, connecting the developments on either side of the Wear.