The building of two new pedestrian bridges formed a key part of a prestige mixed-use regeneration project designed to transform the Clarence Dock area of Leeds. The bridges connect different parts of the development at the site of the Royal Armouries Museum, a premier tourist attraction. Buro Happold was commissioned to carry out the feasibility study, develop the bridge concept, obtain the necessary approvals and oversee the construction.

The 16m and 19m lifting bridges can be opened for canal traffic and are of the bascule type (a form of drawbridge) consisting of two cantilevering leaves extending from the quays and joining over the dock. The leaves are constructed from two fabricated steel beams supporting a stiffened steel plate deck. The lifting mechanism comprises a pivot point on the quay wall from which the required force to lift the structure is applied through a jacking device.

Date: 2003-2005