The Lower Thames Crossing has revealed the winner of its innovative, low-carbon footbridge competition. The winning design from Arup and Seán Harrington Architects has set a new benchmark for sustainable design that could be used on the new road and replicated across roads country-wide.
The winning design beat 32 entries who 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. The design eliminated all concrete from the bridge and approach ramps, and integrated planting into the design to promote habitat connectivity.
In July 2024, the project launched a low-carbon footbridge contest to find a pioneering and sustainable design for a crossing over the A127, at the northern end of the Lower Thames Crossing route. The footbridge would restore the connection between Moor Lane and Folkes Lane, which was severed when the A127 was opened in 1924. It will also offer the local community an uninterrupted route between local green spaces such as Thames Chase Forest Centre, Folkes Lane Wood, and Hole Farm Community Woodland, the new 100-hectare woodland being created in partnership between the Lower Thames Crossing and Forestry England.
The competition is part of the project’s plans to be the greenest road ever built in the UK. As a pathfinder project exploring carbon neutral construction, the project will reduce its own carbon footprint and drive change throughout the UK construction industry by scaling up the use of low-carbon materials and methods. It will create six times more green space than road, and includes one million trees, a community woodland, two new public parks and 40 miles of new and improved pathways for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
Shaun Pidcock, Programme Director, Lower Thames Crossing said: “The Lower Thames Crossing will not only drive economic growth, but it will also redraw the blueprint for modern, sustainable infrastructure. The low-carbon footbridge contest is one example of how we are tackling carbon in construction and helping restore nature. It was incredibly heartening to see the new ideas and creativity from the industry. We had a hard job choosing winner from all the high quality entries, but are delighted with the winning design and look forward to seeing it come to fruition and hope it inspires other designers to aim for low carbon solutions everywhere.”
(Pic: Arup/Sean Harrington Architects/National Highways)
