Irwell bridge design competition launched
A global competition has been launched for the design of a new pedestrian bridge spanning the River Irwell in Salford.
The Salford Meadows Bridge will provide an improved link from English Cities Fund's Salford Central Chapel Street regeneration scheme to The Meadows, the northern part of the Irwell River Park initiative.
It will provide a crossing to the 17-acre site adjacent to Salford University's Peel Park campus and close to The Crescent.
RIBA Competitions has joined forces with Salford City Council in asking architects and engineers to put forward concepts for the new bridge.
The competition is open to registered architects and engineers worldwide. Team collaborations are encouraged and can either be architect or engineering led.
The Irwell River Park project has already attracted £660m in public and private sector investment and is intended to serve as a catalyst in attracting £3bn worth of investment based around making more use of waterside locations in Salford, Trafford and Manchester.
Three new bridges have already been built across the Irwell and the Manchester Ship Canal, as part of plans to improve direct connections at key sites across Salford such as MediaCityUK and Greengate.
Digital submissions only are required at stage one and it is the intention to shortlist three schemes for the second stage with each shortlisted entrant receiving honoraria of £4,000 + VAT.
The Judging Panel includes Renato Benedetti, McDowell + Benedetti acting as the RIBA Adviser, and the City Mayor of Salford.
For further details visit the competition website at: www.ribacompetitions.com/salfordmeadowsbridge.
The closing date for Stage 1 submissions is Thursday 5 September .
