In 2001, Yolles Partnership and Expedition Engineering were engaged to develop a design for a new lifting bridge to allow pedestrians to cross a span of approximately 50 m to enable planning permission to be obtained for the development of land in London's Docklands.
KGAL was engaged to provide engineering support for all elements of the mechanical and electrical drive and control elements for the lifting bridge and navigation signals. The scope also included estimates of cost and future maintenance commitment.
The lifting bridge is 4m wide and required to be enclosed to protect pedestrians from the effects of weather.
Various novel bridge configurations were explored before settling on a single lifting span. The absence of space in the area required a subterranean plant room with facilities for maintenance and to avoid flooding.
The engineering developed explored various means of energy recovery in order to create an efficient and low-cost installation.
The lifting bridge allowed for local and remote operation with remote monitoring via an existing control room manned by British Waterways.
The images below include some of the options developed to outline concept stage
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