Castleford Bridge Pride of Castleford
The 'S' shaped new footbridge in Castleford represents the culmination of strong working partnership, unwavering community commitment, whole-hearted and holistic effort of the people that has brought this Iconic project. The simple and elegant structure of the project fits sympathetically within its environment, whilst providing a landmark for the town.
A stylish, innovative and high profile pedestrian bridge has been recently completed and opened for the people of Castleford in Yorkshire, England. Part of a wider regeneration project which involved thousands of local people, the bridge seeks to re-establish the river as a central asset for Castleford, increasing connectivity and improving the quality of the public spaces on the riverside. Designed for pedestrian use, the S-shaped footbridge across the River Aire creates a catalyst for regeneration of the waterfront. 131 metres long and 4 metres wide, the scheme also accommodates seating, making the bridge a unique civic space as well as a walkway
The £4.8 million bridge has been funded by Wakefield Council, Yorkshire Forward and English Partnerships. Leading architects, designers and regeneration experts amongst whom McDowell + Benedetti, Martha Schwartz, Hudson Architects and DSDHA have collaborated with local people and agencies to improve the quality of life of the town and to make Castleford a distinctive place.
The footbridge creates a safer more pleasant pedestrian route than the 200 year-old Victorian road bridge further downstream. The new bridge has united the north and south of Castleford's riverside community connecting Aire Street to Mill Lane.
According to Wakefield Council Leader, Peter Box: the opening of the bridge was a historic moment for the town of Castleford. 'It represents the culmination of strong working partnership and an unwavering community commitment to help bring such a project to fruition. The bridge is a new focus for visitors to Castleford. It will help us to attract new interest to the town and open up the potential of the town's riverside area."
The bridge is the first phase of McDowell+Bendetti's proposed waterfront regeneration masterplan, which includes a new public square and boardwalk on the south bank, a landscaped public space on the north bank, and a cohesive lighting strategy surrounding the bay called the "string of pearls."
At its southern end, the Cumaru boards land onto boards of Streetdeck, an indication of the proposed future phase south bank boardwalk, which will open up regeneration opportunities for new river facing sites between Castleford Bridge and the 200 year–old Victorian road bridge.
Architect, Renato Benedetti said: "We have worked hard to achieve a minimal structure to accentuate the views and the experience of the water for users. The bridge is more than a crossing. Its a new public space for Castleford town, uniting communities on both banks. It makes an asset of the river as a focal point for the town and as the first phase of our proposed riverscape masterplan, we hope it will act as a strong catalyst for future regeneration projects."
The 131 meter long 'S' shaped bridge curves in response to the site context of the mill, the weir and old wrecked barge, giving users maximum experience of these landmarks and the lively flow of white water over the weir apron.
Anchored by only three V-shaped supports, the deck structure appears to hover over the River Aire offering a 'magic carpet' from which to enjoy the picturesque setting.
The streamlined timber deck bridge is designed as a generous public space as well as a route, with the structure rising through the deck to create four 20 metre curving benches to sit and enjoy the panoramic views.
The understated engineering is subtly innovative and integral with the construction methodology. Four identical 26m curved spans are joined by three 9m support spans, two curved and the third straight (at the central point of contra flexure). The continuous spanning structure consists of two 500mm x 400mm box beams, with one box beam increasing in depth to 1000mm, to provide the additional strength required for each long span. This extra structure rises above the deck in a gentle curve to create generous benches in a wave-like rhythm over the length of the bridge, minimising overall bridge height while maintaining the one in 100 year estimated flood water-clearance required by the Environment Agency.
The three white bridge supports also minimize visual impact and disruption of river flow. Twinned double steel columns branch off foundation caps in a 'V' formation spreading the load at bridge level. The base of these columns is permanently below water to emphasise thinness. Twinned stainless steel fins cantilever off the main spanning beams, between which bearers for the timber decking are fixed. The structural timber deck is unfinished Cumaru boards that span ±800mm between the bearers. Every element contributes structurally to ensure the overall profile is as thin and refined as possible.
Materials include untreated Cumaru timber for the bridge decking and handrail, stainless steel for the balustrades, tension cables, bench panels and a central grille in the timber deck to mark the midpoint of contra-flexure.
The bridge is the first major bridge in the UK which is fully Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. The curved Cumaru timber boards have been sourced from sustainable forests in Brazil and were chosen for their durability (Cumaru is two and half times the density of oak). The decking area is 524m2 and if laid end to end the boards would stretch a distance of 8km. The boards run longitudinally along the bridge and over the benches (with anti-slip strips on the edge) and are fitted together by a unique concealed clamped-fixing system, tailor made for the project. This system avoids invasive drilling and minimises disruption to the bridge's slender deck and streamlined form. It presents the maximum timber surface to walk on, while allowing the wood to expand, contract and weather naturally.
Lighting is embedded under the Cumaru handrails, which run the 130m length of the bridge. Balustrade posts are curved to reduce climb-ability and a series of stainless steel marker plates which sit flush with the deck and rise up from the benches, create arm rests to define personal space and to dissuade skateboarders from edge 'grinding.'
Terry Hodgkinson, Chair of Yorkshire Forward said: "Promenades are more usually associated with Victorian times in our seaside towns rather than Castleford. But McDowell+Benedetti has designed not only a river crossing, but a place to wander, to meet and greet and to reflect on the town's past and to vision its future on a piece of creative modern art that is fit for a 21st Century Castleford. It is there for the benefit of all, to enjoy and savour. Yorkshire Forward is delighted to have been a part of the strong partnership that has delivered this iconic renaissance project."
The project aims to be a catalyst for change in the town, with £11 million of projects funded by a number of agencies. Plus with a further £200 million of other development projects in the pipeline for the town, the future looks bright.
A stylish, innovative and high profile pedestrian bridge has been recently completed and opened for the people of Castleford in Yorkshire, England. Part of a wider regeneration project which involved thousands of local people, the bridge seeks to re-establish the river as a central asset for Castleford, increasing connectivity and improving the quality of the public spaces on the riverside. Designed for pedestrian use, the S-shaped footbridge across the River Aire creates a catalyst for regeneration of the waterfront. 131 metres long and 4 metres wide, the scheme also accommodates seating, making the bridge a unique civic space as well as a walkway
The footbridge creates a safer more pleasant pedestrian route than the 200 year-old Victorian road bridge further downstream. The new bridge has united the north and south of Castleford's riverside community connecting Aire Street to Mill Lane.
According to Wakefield Council Leader, Peter Box: the opening of the bridge was a historic moment for the town of Castleford. 'It represents the culmination of strong working partnership and an unwavering community commitment to help bring such a project to fruition. The bridge is a new focus for visitors to Castleford. It will help us to attract new interest to the town and open up the potential of the town's riverside area."
Master Plan
At its southern end, the Cumaru boards land onto boards of Streetdeck, an indication of the proposed future phase south bank boardwalk, which will open up regeneration opportunities for new river facing sites between Castleford Bridge and the 200 year–old Victorian road bridge.
Architect, Renato Benedetti said: "We have worked hard to achieve a minimal structure to accentuate the views and the experience of the water for users. The bridge is more than a crossing. Its a new public space for Castleford town, uniting communities on both banks. It makes an asset of the river as a focal point for the town and as the first phase of our proposed riverscape masterplan, we hope it will act as a strong catalyst for future regeneration projects."
Innovative Structure
Designed by McDowell+Bendetti with Alan Baxter Associates and Arup and constructed by Costain, Castleford bridge is the most ambitious of the eleven interventions in Castleford and has been awarded with a Civic Trust Award 2009 and Civic Trust Partnership Award 2009 and a BURA Waterways Renaissance Area-based Regeneration Award 2009.The 131 meter long 'S' shaped bridge curves in response to the site context of the mill, the weir and old wrecked barge, giving users maximum experience of these landmarks and the lively flow of white water over the weir apron.
Anchored by only three V-shaped supports, the deck structure appears to hover over the River Aire offering a 'magic carpet' from which to enjoy the picturesque setting.
The streamlined timber deck bridge is designed as a generous public space as well as a route, with the structure rising through the deck to create four 20 metre curving benches to sit and enjoy the panoramic views.
Construction Methodology
The three white bridge supports also minimize visual impact and disruption of river flow. Twinned double steel columns branch off foundation caps in a 'V' formation spreading the load at bridge level. The base of these columns is permanently below water to emphasise thinness. Twinned stainless steel fins cantilever off the main spanning beams, between which bearers for the timber decking are fixed. The structural timber deck is unfinished Cumaru boards that span ±800mm between the bearers. Every element contributes structurally to ensure the overall profile is as thin and refined as possible.
Materials
The bridge is the first major bridge in the UK which is fully Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. The curved Cumaru timber boards have been sourced from sustainable forests in Brazil and were chosen for their durability (Cumaru is two and half times the density of oak). The decking area is 524m2 and if laid end to end the boards would stretch a distance of 8km. The boards run longitudinally along the bridge and over the benches (with anti-slip strips on the edge) and are fitted together by a unique concealed clamped-fixing system, tailor made for the project. This system avoids invasive drilling and minimises disruption to the bridge's slender deck and streamlined form. It presents the maximum timber surface to walk on, while allowing the wood to expand, contract and weather naturally.
Terry Hodgkinson, Chair of Yorkshire Forward said: "Promenades are more usually associated with Victorian times in our seaside towns rather than Castleford. But McDowell+Benedetti has designed not only a river crossing, but a place to wander, to meet and greet and to reflect on the town's past and to vision its future on a piece of creative modern art that is fit for a 21st Century Castleford. It is there for the benefit of all, to enjoy and savour. Yorkshire Forward is delighted to have been a part of the strong partnership that has delivered this iconic renaissance project."
The project aims to be a catalyst for change in the town, with £11 million of projects funded by a number of agencies. Plus with a further £200 million of other development projects in the pipeline for the town, the future looks bright.
NBMCW September 2009
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