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Bridge takes Dresden off Unesco world heritage list

This article is more than 14 years old

Dresden was today removed from Unesco's list of World Heritage Sites because of the construction of a four-lane bridge across the river Elbe just over a mile from the city's historic centre.

The Dresden Elbe valley won heritage status in 2004 for its 12-mile stretch of landscape, which incorporates the city centre and features baroque palaces, churches, opera houses and museums.

The city has been on Unesco's "red" list for three years because of the bridge.

Conservationists say that the four-lane Waldschlösschenbrücke would be a blot on the unique Elbe valley and is sited in a particularly sensitive spot, near the old city, from where it could be seen.

Yesterday's decision came at a meeting in Seville of the World Heritage Committee. "Every time we fail to preserve a site, we share the pain of the state party," said María Jesús San Segundo, the ambassador and Spain's delegate to Unesco.

Walter Hirche, president of the German commission for Unesco, said: "Unfortunately, the decision is not completely surprising. I would have wished for more openness on both sides for a change to the bridge plans."

Construction of the bridge began in 2007. Supporters of the project say it is essential to reduce traffic congestion. An alternative plan for a tunnel was rejected for cost reasons.

Dresden, which was a prominent stop on Barack Obama's recent visit to Europe, paid little heed to various ultimatums from Unesco. In a survey of residents 57% said Dresden could do without the Unesco title. But loss of heritage status could have a detrimental effect on the area's tourism, and the city has already been excluded from a €150m (£128m) government fund for German Unesco sites.

Germany now faces the embarrassment of being the first European country to lose a heritage site and only the second in the world. Oman was struck from the list after reducing the size of its Oryx Antelope Sanctuary by 90%, causing a drastic decline in the antelope population.

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