The bridge across the A10 highway will support travel along the Mere Way cycleway for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians.
Knight Architects’ design has been granted planning permission as part of Urban & Civic’s plans for Waterbeach Barracks in Cambridgeshire. The new bridge has been designed to provide a distinctive architectural landmark for the development and to be instantly recognisable from the A10. It will connect with active mobility routes as part of an upgraded connection to one of Cambridge’s largest employment centres – the Cambridge Science Park.
The form of the bridge is designed to pay homage to both the aviation history at Waterbeach and the natural landscape in the area, while the contrasting use of white and dark grey in the sculpted edge beams and deck/parapet sections has been chosen to help to accentuate the bridge's silhouette. It is described as sitting modestly in the low fen-edge landscape, minimising impacts on the environment. It has also been arranged to respect the ancient Roman drainage and canal system of Car Dyke and Old Tillage, which run parallel to the A10. The approaches to the bridge are designed as gently sloped and vegetated embankments.
Knight Architects associate and project architect Laura Langridge said: “Our contextual and place-making design will form a fitting and recognisable entrance to the new Waterbeach development whilst supporting the sustainable aims of improving active mobility for this exciting neighbourhood and the wider community. We are excited to see it progress to installation next spring.’’
Caroline Foster, project director for Waterbeach at Urban & Civic, added: “The new A10 bridge highlights our vision, commitment to and investment in sustainable transport. Not only will it provide a robust connection for the new cycle connection to the Science Park for future commuters, but it will also support connections between Waterbeach and Landbeach to help local people access the new services and amenities coming forward within the development in a sustainable way. We’re delighted to have secured planning for this elegant structure and excited about making sure its delivery is a key part of the sustainable delivery of the new community.”
