When Public Openings go Wrong

The following four examples from around the UK demonstrate how even the best laid plans for public openings can go wrong...

Picture the scene London in the early nineteenth century. A party had been organised to celebrate the redesigned St James's Park in 1814. John Nash, the architect responsible for widening the canal in the park into a lake and laying down new footpaths, organised a spectacular fireworks display for some distinguished guests, but unfortunately, the pagoda erected on the bridge across the new lake caught fire and one person was killed.

Some sixteen years later, on September 15, 1830 the world's first intercity railway line opened between Manchester and Liverpool. Unfortunately, the momentous event was overshadowed when William Huskisson, the President of the Board of Trade, unwittingly became the first recorded fatality on the railways in the world.

Fast forward to the twenty-first century and head south to London where the Millennium Bridge was opened amid much fanfare by Queen Elizabeth II, on 10 June 2000. The first new bridge to span the River Thames in over a hundred years, was referred to it as a ‘blade of light’. Unfortunately, the bridge earned the nickname of the 'Wobbly Bridge' as synchronised foot steps of the thousands of visitors caused it to oscillate, in a process called 'excitation'. Listeners to the City and South Bank Circular audio travel guide can hear how Sir Norman Foster, Sir Anthony Caro and the engineering firm Arup succeeded in rectifying the problem.

We head North again, this time to the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. The new Scottish Parliament was officially opened by the Queen, on 9th October 2004. The complex was eleven times over budget and three years behind schedule. The Holyrood complex opened for business on September 8 of the same year, but its opening was delayed as The Times reported "The doors wouldn't open because officials didn't have the right key." The final debate of the day had to be cut short when the MSPs' microphones failed.

The Parliament is worth a visit. Visitors can hear more about the Scottish Parliament's history and the matters over which it has the power to legislate with the Royal Mile & More audio guide.