Lockmeadow Footbridge, UK

Project Description:

This 80 metre cable stayed aluminium footbridge spans 45m across the river Medway opposite the Grade I listed Archbishop’s Palace in the centre of Maidstone.

The award-winning design comprises identical 300mm deep special aluminium extrusions laid side by side and pre-stressed transversely to form a multi-cellular laminated deck, supported from skeletal steel masts by locked-coil stay cables. The unique aluminium deck system minimised costs through the repetitive use of a single, easily handled lightweight and durable component that performs all deck functions without the need for any secondary structure or added finishes.

The two-span arrangement crosses both river and floodplain, and concentrated construction effort on the west bank where access was good. The concrete “cutwater” pier supports the masts and forms the stepped access from the towpath. Deck assembly and installation was carried out entirely by hand.

The design was the winner in a design competition in 1997, when the site was described as perhaps the most sensitive location for a bridge anywhere in England, and the bridge was opened in October 1999 by HRH Prince Michael of Kent.