Chiswick Park Footbridge Wins Major Award
Wins Best Infrastructure Project at Architect's Journal Awards ceremony
The new 135m pedestrian Chiswick Park footbridge which opened last January, has been awarded the prestigious Architect’s Journal Awards.
Chiswick Park Footbridge was named best infrastructure project, with designs that are set to transform the area. It was commended by judges for its ‘the elegant integration of engineering and architecture to produce a sophisticated bridge that responds to context’.
The AJ Architecture Awards recognise excellence in UK architecture across a range of categories, from School & Housing Projects to Landscaping and Leisure. These highly coveted awards are unique to the market, with each shortlisted project visited by a judging panel and published in the Architects' Journal.
The 2019 awards saw architecture’s most creative and talented leaders and innovators attend the ceremony in London on 20 November 2019 at Exhibition London, Shepherd's Bush.
The new bridge allows faster access to Chiswick Park Underground Station, reducing the walking time to just 4 minutes. Chiswick Park is now served by two direct Underground stations on each side of its Campus: Gunnersbury Station and Chiswick Park Station.
The objective of building the bridge was to help alleviate congestion at Gunnersbury Station, which was often dangerously overcrowded at peak times. However, getting the bridge built was a complex task, and involved years of discussions between stakeholders Hounslow and Ealing Councils, Transport for London (TfL) Network Rail and Chiswick Park who financed the scheme- you can read some of our earlier coverage in the story links in the above box. However, the setbacks and frustrations were forgotten today as those present admired the cantilevered structure which will be lit up at night.
The 220 tonne bridge is formed of three steel arches in earthy tones and hardwood timber deck. The overall design, described by its architects as ‘sustainable, elegant and efficient’, was devised to reduce ongoing maintenance requirements. The bridge is expected to be used by thousands pedestrians daily. It has anti slippage features on the wooden walkway, and there is a lift on either side.
Construction work began in August 2017 after an agreement was signed between Chiswick Park, Hounslow and Ealing Councils, Network Rail, and Transport for London (Tf)L). However due to complex agreements, it actually took twenty years to complete from when it was first mooted.
A view of the bridge
Chiswick Business Park has 9,000 workers in its various companies, and and the bridge has made a difference to their daily routine.
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November 23, 2019
