March 06 2003
New footbridge lifted into place over Regent’s Canal
A programme of regeneration for the Regents Canal in London took a major step forward on Wednesday 26 February when a new footbridge was lifted into place at Parnham Street, adjacent to the Salmon Lane Lock near Limehouse. The new structure, commissioned by British Waterways London, with additional funding from London’s Waterway Partnership, and designed by Buro Happold’s bridge engineering department, is an eye catching twin arch that replaces the existing plate girder footbridge .
The bridge spans just over 20m and has been designed for cyclist and pedestrian use with an asphalt surfacing. The use of twin steel arches accentuates the curved profile and results in a striking elevation. The structure is equipped with under-deck lighting and is supported on the refurbished brick abutments.
The new bridge is intended to act as a landmark for the area and its open and modern appearance has been developed following consultation with the local community facilitated by the Free Form Arts Trust.
The main contractor for the bridge is Edmund Nuttall Ltd and the steelwork was fabricated by Westbury Structures Ltd for delivery to site in one piece. The project is due for completion by the end of March.
Buro Happold is a multi-disciplinary international practice of consulting engineers established in 1976 offering civil and structural engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, quantity surveying, building services and environmental engineering, health and safety management, infrastructure and traffic engineering, ground engineering, façade engineering, fire engineering, computational fluid dynamics analysis, disability design consultancy, project management, urban design and a range of specialist CAD services.
British Waterways London cares for and manages 90 miles of the Capital’s canals and rivers and 110 acres of docks. It works in partnerships with the public, private and voluntary sectors in order to deliver regeneration and social improvements around its waterways and actively encourages the involvement of the community and local groups to unlock the network’s full potential.
