Client
Lancashire County Council

Role
Lead Designer

Practice
Nick Hancock Design Studio

Sector
Infrastructure

Status
Competition

Scope
Concept Design

Year
2008

This lightweight cable-stayed bridge, crossing the River Douglas in Lancashire, won second place in an international design competition organised by RIBA and REMADE. Inspired by its wetlands surroundings, the bridge’s form is that of a bird in flight. The project uses sustainable materials and construction techniques: as well as providing a unique river crossing, the Flying Bridge requires little maintenance and causes limited disruption to the site’s fragile ecosystem.

The particular ecological demands of the site – which is home to a number of protected species, including the great crested newt – meant that protecting the site’s delicate habitats was at the forefront of our minds. To this end, the bridge is designed to be built almost entirely from one bank, with minimal work required on the more fragile bank.

The bridge’s materials were selected for their ecological qualities as well as their durability. So, for example, horse-friendly paving is made from recycled rubber, while low-spectrum LED lighting is low-energy and doesn’t disrupt the feeding patterns
of local bat populations.