Charmouth bridge opening

Yesterday we went to Charmouth, for the opening of the footbridge we designed with the Dorset County Council engineers.
In this beautiful location on the World Heritage Site of the Jurassic coast and the South West Coastal Path the intention was from the beginning not to create a bridge that would become a focal point but to create a place that would enhance the experience of crossing the river and become a viewing point for this landscape. The result is in keeping with the scale of the previous bridge but bows towards the sea and widens in its centre, creating an overhanging balcony over the river, almost a public space in the middle of the bridge.

It has been a really productive collaboration with the design team from day one, and yesterday was a great pleasure to see so many people enjoying the bridge.

Charmouth Bridge getting closer

We just received a picture from the engineers of the main framework of the bridge being put in place today. it's getting tantalisingly close to completion.

Charmouth bridge on site

Construction work on the new Charmouth footbridge we designed with engineers from Dorset County Council has begun. Below are images of the first elements - piles are in place, and work on the abutments is underway. The steel frame should be delivered to site in the next couple of weeks and if all goes to plan it should be open for the easter holidays.
The old bridge (the one which needs replacing) is still in place and usable so you can get a good look at how things are progressing with the new one.


view of pile taken from the old bridge


the two piles neatly alined next to the old bridge


heavy foundation works for the abutments on which the bridge frame will sit

Bridge workshop

As part of our work for the pedestrian bridge in Charmouth (being designed in collaboration with the engineers from DEC) we conducted a bridge building workshop with children from the local primary school. After a short introduction to bridges and to the existing footbridge, the year 6 children designed and built their own bridges with drinking straws and tape. The designs were very varied and impressive, ranging from the very strong to the amazingly minimal and beautiful.