© John Munday 2008

CASTLEFORD's spectacular new multi-millon pound footbridge has finally has got it's grand opening. TV's Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud joined Wakefield Council leader Peter Box for the opening of the new S-shaped bridge across the River Aire on Friday 4th July 2008.
The ambitious structure is the most striking of the Castleford Project schemes to completely revamp the former pit town.Designed by Renato Benedetti of McDowell+Benedetti, the bridge has already been shortlisted for the prestigious Prime Minister's Award for Better Public Buildings Construction is by Costain.
The Castleford Project is the focus of a major forthcoming Channel 4 series presented by Kevin McCloud.
Children from local primary schools linked hands across the bridge to mark its opening.
Wakefield Council Leader, Peter Box: " This is an historic moment for Castleford as we open this wonderful new bridge. It represents the culmination of strong partnership working and an unwavering community commitment to help bring such a project to fruition. I'm also delighted that even before being opened it has been short listed for such a prestigious award. The bridge will be a positive new focus for visitors to Castleford. It will help us attract new interest to the town and open up the potential of the town's riverside area."
Terry Hodgkinson, chair of Yorkshire Forward said: "Promenades are more usually associated with Victorian times in our seaside towns rather than Castleford.”
"But Renato (Benedetti] has designed not only a river crossing, but a place to wander, to meet and greet and to reflect on the town's past and to vision it's future on a piece of creative modern art that is fit for a 21st Century Castleford. It is there for the benefit of all, to enjoy and savour. Yorkshire Forward is delighted to have been a part of the strong partnership that has delivered this iconic renaissance project."
Alison Drake from Castleford Heritage Trust added: " Since the beginning when we first chose Renato this has been a goal for the community to achieve. It is about connecting the community with the river and river side. The design has fulfilled all our ambitions.”

A Cratehouse for Castleford
Castleford is currently host to an exciting new art work created for the town and local people by leading international artists.
Cratehouse for Castleford is a work of art by German artists, Winter/Hörbelt. Wolfgang Winter and Berthold Hörbelt are internationally recognised artists who have exhibited throughout the world in galleries and have represented Germany at important international art biennales including Venice and Liverpool. Since 1992 the artists have been invited to create 'crate houses' for over 25 public spaces worldwide, including Houston, Texas; New York; Obihiro, Japan; Hanoi, Vietnam; Ostend, Belgium; and a lighthouse in Skarhamn, Sweden.
Cratehouse for Castleford is made from shipping containers and bottle crates, objects whose contribution to contemporary life is taken for granted.

It is on land in Sagar Street, Castleford. Local people are able to view it etc. to enjoy the whole Cratehouse experience.
The work can be seen as a symbol of the power of a united community to provoke a response, and which refuses to be overlooked.Through their sculpture, Winter/Hörbelt challenge the increasing global uniformity of public spaces that suppress individual town spirit. Castleford has rich cultural heritage deserving of international recognition and local pride. The sculpture will bring Castleford to the attention of international art professionals, several of whom are already involved in making further artworks for the town and offers a significant contribution toward the town's culturally led regeneration. It also complements the community regeneration schemes being achieved through the Castleford Project – which will be the focus of the world's first televised regeneration scheme when broadcast by Channel 4.
Winter/Hörbelt offer possibilities beyond everyday experience and through that suggest ways in which places and people can be extraordinary. Art in the open air enables everyone to touch art directly, interact with it physically and form opinions about it.
Cratehouse for Castleford is an Arts Council England, Yorkshire, commission managed by
 Yorkshire Sculpture Park.