National Highways has unveiled the five designs that have been shortlisted for its Lower Thames Crossing low-carbon footbridge contest.
Launched in July, the contest is seeking innovative, sustainable designs for a crossing over the A127, a key strategic road connecting Southend and London, close to the northern end of the Lower Thames Crossing.
The winning design could also form the new footbridge standard and be replicated across roads countrywide.
More than 30 entrants were judged on their proposed use of low carbon materials and construction methods, and evidence of good design principles to allow ease of access and a pleasant crossing experience.
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.’
The five shortlisted entries are:
Arup and Sean Harrington Associates (top picture): 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 Ltd: '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, re-using 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 façade. A modern interpretation of the traditional stone bridge'
National Highways is responsible for more than 600 footbridges, with 176 of them in the south east. The proposed new footbridge across the A127 will restore pedestrian access between Moor Lane and Folkes Lane, which was severed when the road was opened in 1924.
The Lower Thames Crossing is a proposed new road and tunnel connecting Kent and Essex.
The winning design is due to be announced in late Spring 2025.
