Top awards for span-tastic Riverside Bridge
13 July 2010
Cambridgeshire County Council press release
The landmark £3 million foot and cycle bridge at Riverside, Cambridge, has scooped two top awards this summer - the prestigious Arthur G Hayden Medal, from the International Bridge Conference (IBC) and highly commended for the Regional Planning Achievement Awards, East of England run by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
The 200-metre bridge is the first in over 40 years to be built across the Cam and provides a much needed link from Chesterton across to Riverside. It includes a low level walkway, a separate cycle way and seating areas for people to relax and enjoy views of the river. The project is part of an ongoing programme of measures being introduced to increase cycling in Cambridge.
The IBC Arthur G Hayden medal recognises single, recent outstanding achievements in bridge engineering, demonstrating innovation in special-use bridges such as pedestrian, people-mover or non-traditional structures. The judges commented that Riverside Bridge is "startling in its beauty" and is a "modest delight which is fun for users."
RTPI awards recognise projects where planners have made a real difference and consider the quality of the professional work involved.
At an awards ceremony on Friday, 9 July, the judges commented, that the bridge was: "An exemplar scheme demonstrating how full public engagement can result in an iconic structure." And "The involvement of the community that lives with and uses this bridge is as striking as the bridge itself. An innovative design ensuring the safety of cyclists and pedestrians was matched by an innovative approach to provision, not just through the design competition but through the publicity given and involvement of the local paper."
Cambridgeshire County Councillor Roy Pegram, Cabinet member for Growth, Infrastructure and Strategic Planning said: "Winning these awards is a great achievement. The striking modern design of Riverside Bridge has the right balance of respecting the existing surroundings whilst providing a high quality, innovative and attractive structure.
"The local community were involved throughout from consultation to choosing the final winning design. The bridge also plays a vital part in our commitment to improving cycling and walking around Cambridge. "
Recent surveys have shown that up to 1,900 cyclists use Riverside bridge every day. When it was first planned, it was expected that a total of 1,000 cyclists and pedestrians would use it daily. This figure has been almost doubled by cyclists alone, helping to prove that Cambridge is truly the cycling capital of the UK.
Delivery of the new bridge was managed from inception to completion by Cambridgeshire County Council. It was designed by architects Ramboll Whitbybird, with the seating areas designed by artist Gerry Judah, the bridge's 70-tonne arched steel frame design was chosen by public vote and a panel of experts in 2004.
Note from Cambridgeshire Horizons: The Riverside Bridge received funding from Cambridgeshire Horizons via the Housing Growth Fund.