Fans will be funnelled to the footy via a new $25 million walkway over Anzac Parade

[DIEHARD]

Fans will be funnelled to the footy via a new $25 million walkway over Anzac Parade

SPORTS fans will get easier access to the Sydney Cricket Ground and Allianz Stadium from next year with the construction of a $25 million pedestrian bridge over Anzac Pde.

The walkway will be completed in time for next year’s cricket World Cup and will eventually connect to a platform of the CBD and South East Light Rail, due in another four years.

Moore Park attracts 1.5 million fans to sporting events every year, causing traffic congestion on game days with fans walking to and from Central station and pubs in the area.

Premier Barry O’Farrell will announce the project today.

spectators and visitors to our major sporting venues every year,” he said. The bridge will be known as the Albert (Tibby) Cotter Walkway, named after the former Australian Test cricketer who was killed in action with the 4th Light Horse at Beersheba in Palestine during the World War I.

The walkway is almost identical to those on the approach to the Melbourne Cricket Ground which get fans quickly in and out of the 100,000-seat venue.

It is encouraging news for the NRL and its strategy to play more blockbuster games at Allianz and ANZ Stadium this year to boost sluggish 2013 attendance numbers.

The NRL was heavily involved in lobbying the government in recent months for the footbridge.

“The footbridge removes the need to cross one of Sydney’s busiest arterial roads and will further add to what is already an unrivalled match-day experience,” SCG Trust chief executive Jamie Barkley said.

Nicknamed ‘Terror Cotter’ by English fans, he was regarded as the fastest of his era in Australia. That was not without controversy however - early film of his action shows a slinging motion.

He took eight or more wickets in a match four times from his 21 Tests with a strike rate of 52.

Cotter joined the 1st Australian Light Horse Regiment in April 1915, aged 31. He took a late part in the Gallipoli campaign. Later he transferred to the 12th Light Horse and was commended for his “fine work under heavy fire” during the second battle of Gaza.

On 31 October 1917 the 4th Light Horse Brigade, of which the 12th Regiment was part, captured . Cotter, then a stretcher-bearer was shot dead at close range.

“There’s never been a better time to watch sport at the SCG and Allianz Stadium and when the footbridge and the planned light rail link is complete, it will be even easier.”

The government will consult local residents and stakeholders to minimise disruption.

“Extensive work is under way to ensure the detailed design will sensitively integrate the bridge into the landscape and minimise impact to the boulevard of moreton bay fig trees along Anzac Pde,” Roads Minister Duncan Gay said.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/

[TITAN PETE]

This will awesome , would've crossed those roads thousands of times & someone is nearly run over every game

[DIEHARD]

And we got light rail coming too

[DIEHARD]

Good to see they are modelling it off a successful bridge at the MCG