WSP wins Cambridgeshire suspension bridge job

WSP has won a contract to design a pedestrian suspension bridge in Cambridgeshire.

The pedestrian and cycle bridge will span 65m over the River Great Ouse in St Neots. WSP and Knight Architects will base the design on one prepared by Knight Architects.

Early suggested designs make use of composite materials in the deck and parapets.

The bridge is being built in order to encourage better use of walking and cycling in the Cambridgeshire town.

“We are thrilled to be appointed by Cambridgeshire County Council to design a landmark bridge that will enable better connectivity and growth for the town”, said WSP highways sector lead Stephen Pottle.

“With the site used for key events throughout the year, we will be carefully considering its location throughout the entirety of the planning and preliminary design phase”.

Cambridgeshire County Council’s economy and environment committee chair Ian Bates said the project adds an important river crossing option for the town.

“The suspension bridge that WSP are designing will be elegant and environmentally considerate, which will work well at the chosen location,” he said. “We want to encourage more people to get out of their cars – and this bridge will provide a safer, traffic-free route across the river, as well as improving infrastructure and bringing economic prosperity to the town.

This is not the first time Knight Architects and WSP have worked together on pedestrian bridges. Last year the pair won a contract for a timber-clad pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Usk in South Wales connecting the town of Abergavenny and the village of Llanfoist.

Planning application for the bridge is due to be submitted later this year.

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