In 2003 a design competition was held to create a new swing bridge linking Canning Town with the peninsula on the other side of the River Lea. A consortium including the Architects McDowell + Benedetti, the structural Engineers Arup and KGAL pre-qualified to submit a proposal.
The purpose of the swing bridge is to link the advanced transport links of Canning Town with the adjacent peninsula on the other side of the river. The bridge will end the relative isolation and act as a catalyst for future development.
The bridge is 4 m wide and some 65 m in length. A number of alternative designs were considered before settling on a cable stayed swing bridge.
The central tower is required to house internal lifts to facilitate disabled access to various levels. This tower forms the central boundary for the slewing mechanism and defines the space available for equipment.
The swing bridge deck transfers considerable movements to the tower during operation due to the effects of the cable stays. A system for transferring the bridge between fixed bearings and a roller carriage mechanism was developed to overcome this.
The bridge allows simple controls which minimise maintenance requirements.
CONSULTANT: Arup
ARCHITECT: McDowell & Benedetti
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