Not so bright sparks

The colourful programme for the British Association's Festival of Science, Creating Sparks, promises a host of delights for the autumn, including a talk by Tony Fitzpatrick of Ove Arup and Partners on the Millennium Bridge.

The talk, on September 12, will be part of a session on "how engineering, environmental and aesthetic concerns have been reconciled to produce structures that are both useful and elegant". Of the bridge, the programme enthuses: "supremely elegant and aesthetic, it is strong enough to withstand boat impact or the strongest winds". Its failure to withstand the impact of pedestrians has sparked barely a wobble among BA organisers. The talk is to go ahead as programmed.