Riverside Bridge, Cambridge
- Client: Cambridgeshire County Council
- Principal designer: Ramboll Whitbybird
- Principal contractor: Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering
- Contract value: £2.5 million
About the project
Riverside Bridge is Cambridge’s 21st century bridge and, like its predecessors from previous centuries, uses the engineering expertise and materials of its time.
The visually striking design of the 200-metre-long bridge was selected through a competition, with public participation, and an expert panel. It divides cyclists and pedestrians using an arched form and two slender decks. The decks split where the main span begins to turn through 90 degrees over the river, with the gentler, outer curve being used by cyclists. The arch walkway and cycleway are linked by steel wishbone beams and feature different surface treatments.
The bridge, made largely from recycled materials, was assembled on the flood plain and lifted, in one afternoon, onto permanent piers. It links Riverside with Chesterton and is encouraging cycling across the Cam, particularly to new housing on the north side of the river, as part of the local sustainable transport strategy.
Judges' comment
"Another delightful bridge over the River Cam – but this one of the 21st century."
