Genesis of a footbridge from a community perspectiveMark Wing - InterrelatedRichard Woolf - McDanielWoolf

Footbridges: Past, Present & Future 16-18 July 2014, Imperial College, London, UK

Nothing great was

ever achieved without

enthusiasmRalph Waldo Emerson

Pedestrian and cycle bridge

Not a new idea• Separated by a distance of 100m of water• Two communities in the same borough • Belonging together; Twick ‘n’ Ham• Many proposals shared for a bridge

– Protected views from Richmond Hill. Congested Twickenham town center– All in the wrong location…

• Radnor Gardens was being overlooked• Yet it offers the most strategic location for a bridge – and could

become a vital link in local social and economic development

Past, Present and Future

Why – to build a river crossing

Where – to build a river crossing

What – to build

How – to make it a reality

Why – to build a river crossing

The borders of Richmond borough sit straddled across two sides of the River Thames

Why – to build a river crossing

Existing bridges do not serve the community effectively • Fast A316 Twickenham Bridge• 18th Century stone arch Richmond Bridge• Woefully inadequate Teddington Lock Bridge

Why – to build a river crossing

Convert the community ‘need’ for a footbridge into a desire to see it installed…

Richard Woolf said (2010):

“This particular river crossing will make a natural progression of landscape and urban designs long planned for this part of London, making it a very exciting project and one that must surely be built.”

Where – to build a river crossing

Where – to build a river crossing

Strategic positioning Serving the needs of the wider population

Where – to build a river crossingStrategic positioning Serving the needs of the wider population

1. Radnor Gardens is the perfect mid-way point

2. It compliments the only other two existing crossings; Hammertons Ferry and Teddington Lock bridge

3. The natural land topology at this location allows for the appropriate space for the landing stages of a bridge on both sides of the river

4. A critical position from which to serve the borough’s residents

5. Aligned to the Arcadian landscape strategy for the area

6. Could help link all existing and planned local tourism initiatives– New Twickenham River pontoon and river taxi service– New home of the Royal Rowbarge Gloriana– Poetry trail; Alexander Pope – a vision for a Poetry Town

What – to build

What – to build

Two guiding principles1. Connecting two communities

– Formal garden and natural landscape– A more open and inclusive neighbourhood– Two separated town within the same borough– Break down barriers, facilitate movement and goodwill

2. Working with the landscape– Natural topology of land both sides of the river– Timelessly interwoven into its surroundings– Most strategic advantage for the whole community– As if it has always been there

What – to build• Visual stimulation

– An elegant architectural form delivering a picturesque solution that roles with the landscape and the Arcadian Thames

• Protect and enhance the wildlife– Rich bio-diversity in Ham Lands

• Improve rights to access– Connecting a garden to a natural landscape – Opening up previously inaccessible common land

• Split level cycle and pedestrian paths – A quick cycle route for commuters – Pedestrians enjoy uninterrupted views

• Transform local transportation options– Celebrate the dawning of the age of the bicycle

TAXI

Cycle, a

nd

Pedestrian

The Avenue

Ham Lands

How – to make it a reality

How – to make it a reality

A reality check• First audience to be presented with our vision beyond the residential enclave where

the Radnor Bridge will be sited

Make our big idea public• Confident and able to take the next step

…but what is the next step?

How – to make it a realityWe believe it is three fold

1. Secure funding

2. Environmental audit

3. Commission surveys

How – to make it a realityWe are very accessible and active on social media

We are also on good talking terms with the local council (Mini-Holland strategy)

We are keen to continue playing a key role in making this happen

We’d like to hear from legacy risk takers like ourselves, with resources

Summary

Engineering in a landscape• Connect two communities

• Protect and enhance existing and future biodiversity

• Improve accessibility to areas of natural and urban opportunity

• Stimulate and improve social and economic development

• Support an established landscape strategy, providing improved access to space and amenity

Summary

Engineering in a landscape• Help shift the local value proposition beyond the global image of

Twickenham as a rugby stadium

• Shift political focus away from only ‘playing’ with the town centres to actually linking them

• Deliver a vision of an exciting and beautiful piece of engineering in the landscape

• Create a legacy for the enjoyment of generations to come

Summary

Genesis of Past, Present and Future• Radnor Bridge will be an initiative of local needs coming together to

realise something that can be seen as having national relevance

Summary

Genesis of Past, Present and Future

Innovative

Transforming local transportation options

Improving the right of access to valuable amenity space

Split level cycle and pedestrian paths

Uninterrupted views up and down the river

Sustainable

A permanent structure

Passive technology

Facilitating a reduction in local car journeys

A new cycle route of national importance

Elegant

Using low key, naturally engineered materials

Delivering a picturesque solution, which

Roles with the landscape and the tradition of Arcadian Thames

Economic

Good for socio and economic development in the area, while

An exemplar of community driven grass route funding

Thank you