1. We are WSP
  2. Insights
  3. A Sustainable Timber Footbridge Complementing an Historic and Sensitive Environment

A Sustainable Timber Footbridge Complementing an Historic and Sensitive Environment

Our experts explore the path to create a design solution on a highly sensitive site with numerous conflicting demands.

map marker United Kingdom | Wednesday, 22. May 2019
Reading Time : 20 minutes

This article was written in collaboration with WSP Team Leader Stephen Heaney, WSP Technical Director Tony Harris,  and Héctor Beade Pereda of Knight Architects. It was presented at the IABSE Conference Guimarães 2019  in Portugal.

Abstract

This paper discusses the design of a bespoke glulam footbridge on a highly sensitive and challenging site. The bridge was designed by WSP and Knight Architects on behalf of Monmouthshire County Council. The 60m long crossing will provide a safer pedestrian crossing of the River Usk between Llanfoist and Abergavenny. The location presents a myriad of conflicting constraints including flooding, heritage, aesthetics, H&S, and environmental designations. The three-span bridge comprises half-through configuration supported on the abutments at either end and an intermediate pier located in a ‘dry’ shingle bar within the river channel. The primary beams comprise glulam construction and are protected with external architectural timber cladding on each elevation. This paper will focus on the rationale which formed the basis of the design, reviewing key design details as well as addressing the main challenges of the design.

Read the full text

More on this subject

September 2019

Leading with Systems Integration

Technical Paper
Mobility
Vancouver Waterfront Park

August 2019 | 7:00 minutes

New Community Park Centerpiece of Revitalized Vancouver Waterfront

United States
Feature
Places , Resilience

August 2019

Improving the Odds of Program Success: An Adaptive Development Model

Technical Paper
Mobility

August 2019

Providing for Safety in Rail Megaprojects

Technical Paper
Mobility

August 2019

The Birth and Development of SID3 and Lessons Learned

Technical Paper
Mobility

July 2019 | 8 minutes

Systems integration: navigating increasing complexity

Magazine
Mobility , Technology

July 2019 | 3:15

Streamlining Capital Project Delivery Through Consolidation, Progressive Design-Build

United States
Feature
Resilience , Places , Society

June 2019 | 3:00 minutes

WSP USA Providing Improved Response to Hazardous Material Situations

United States
Feature
Places , Society

June 2019 | 7 minutes

What If Road Transport Engineers Champion Vision Zero?

Mobility , Society

June 2019 | 7:30 minutes

WSP USA Volunteers Build Bridge to Benefit Rwanda Villages

United States
Feature
Mobility , Society

June 2019 | 4:45 minutes

Cotton Belt Program to Enhance North Texas Rail Service

United States
Feature
Mobility

May 2019 | 4:15 minutes

Marc Basnight Bridge Provides Reliable Crossing for Outer Banks Traffic

United States
Feature
Mobility