Embankment Renaissance Footbridge, Bedford

Open Design Competition

Launched in 1995 on behalf of Bedford Borough Council the competition askedfor design proposals for a pedestrian bridge across the River Great Ouse. Thecompetition brief made reference to Webster's 1888 suspension bridge, only a fewhundred metres downstream, noted as a 'memorable landmark which epitomisesBedford at the end of the 19th century'. Designers were invited to 'build a bridgewhich would similarly mark the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the21st.'

Wilkinson Eyre's double-arched cable-stayed bridge was unanimously chosen asfirst prize winner by the Jury Panel from 79 entries. The panel described it as 'anextremely subtle and elegant design and a beautiful and worthy successor to theWebster bridge.'

Locally nicknamed the 'Butterfly Bridge', the £390,000 32m span bridge wascompleted in 22 weeks, and opened in November 1997.

Factual InformationClient Bedford Borough CouncilArchitect Wilkinson Eyre Architects (at the time Chris Wilkinson Architects)Engineer Jan Bobrowski & PartnersCost Consultant Davis Langdon & EverestContractor Littlehampton Welding

Jury PanelPaul Koralek CBE, RIBA AdviserDavid Morley, RIBA AdviserMichael Dickson, Engineering AssessorDavid K Bailey, Bedford BC PlannerJim Burnett, Bedford BC Chief ArchitectSteven Tomlin, Bedford BC Chief Amenities Officer

The RIBA Competitions Office organises bespoke, flexible architecturalcompetitions that encourage excellence in design, offer value for money, and arerun smoothly from inception through to the appointment of a winning design orarchitect. For more information contact RIBA Competitions on 0113 234 1335 orvisit www.ribacompetitions.com.