Havering low-carbon footbridge contest shortlist revealed
The finalists are: Arup and Sean Harrington Associates; COWI and Moxon; Davies Maguire; Useful Studio Architects and Expedition Engineering; and Webb Yates Engineers. The two-stage competition sought proposals for a 'benchmark' low-carbon bridge that could be used over the A217 road in Havering and also across the wider GBP9 billion Lower Thames Crossing programme, which will connect the M25 motorway in Essex to the M2 motorway in Kent via a 4.2km tunnel under the River Thames. The contest focuses on creating a GBP2.9 million pedestrian footbridge over the A127 at the northern end of the Lower Thames Crossing route but the winning design could also be used to boost public access in other locations across the route.
This could include improving connections between Moor Lane and Folkes Lane, which were severed by the opening of the A127 road a century ago.
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Lower Thames Crossing programme director Shaun Pidcock said: 'The Lower Thames Crossing is green by design, so it was pleasing that we received so many high-quality entries for a low-carbon footbridge of the future, the perfect complement to the scheme. 'The five shortlisted entries all plan to utilise new low-carbon materials, and I look forward to seeing how the designs develop and the eventual winner being selected.' National Highways is responsible for more than 600 footbridges across England with many due to require maintenance or replacement in the coming years.
The organisation is aiming to become carbon net zero for both maintenance and construction by 2040. Competition judges include Mike Wilson, chief highways engineer at National Highways; Scott Shaw, client director at Atkins; and Nicola Head, head of structures at Transport for London. The five shortlisted teams will each receive GBP10,000 to participate in the second phase of the contest.
The overall winner - due to be announced next spring - will receive GBP65,000 and be invited to negotiate for a design contract to take the project forward.
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If the project is granted planning permission and is funded, construction is expected to take six years, with road opening targeted for 2032.
The government recently announced that the deadline for a decision on the Lower Thames Crossing's planning application has been extended to May 2025.
The shortlist
- Arup and Sean Harrington Associates A two-span bridge with twin haunched glulam girders, with an all-steel central pier and steep reinforced earth embankments for the approaches.
- COWI and Moxon A slender timber bridge supported on a V-shape stainless-steel pier, minimising span lengths for an efficient low-carbon solution.
- Davies Maguire A timber bridge with twin haunched girders, an inclined steel prop as the main pier and stone columns for the approach piers.
- Useful Studio Architects and Expedition Engineering A modular truss bridge designed on the basis of regeneration and circularity, reusing steel materials and adopting an industrial process for repeatability and efficiency.
- Webb Yates Engineers A prestressed stone bridge, with the internal tendon profile reflected in the treatment of the facade.
A modern interpretation of the traditional stone bridge.