An international competition has been launched to design a new £40million pedestrian and cycle bridge between Nine Elms and Pimlico.
Wandsworth Council is asking architects from around the world to come up with a design for the bridge which will provide a car-free alternative to Vauxhall and Chelsea Bridges. The exact location of the bridge is yet to be confirmed but the preferred options would land close to the new US Embassy site in Nine Elms, Wandsworth.
Once a winning design is revealed in the summer, the Nine Elms Vauxhall Partnership, which is coordinating the redevelopment of the area, will explore a range of funding options which could include sponsorship.
Wandsworth Council leader and co-chairman of the partnership Ravi Govindia said the design must be ‘inspiring’ and ‘win the hearts of Londoners’. He said: “There are considerable challenges and engineering feats to overcome. The design must work alongside the cutting edge architecture emerging on the south bank as well as the elegant frontage on the north.
"The landing points on both sides must integrate sensitively with their surroundings and provide a smooth and safe experience for the pedestrian and cyclist who use it."
Any design will need planning permission from Westminster and Wandsworth Councils and approval from the London Mayor before building can commence. People living in Pimlico have expressed concerns at the exact location of the bridge on the north side of the river, fearing it could lead to overcrowding in the area.
The bridge is part of a £2 billion infrastructure package transforming Nine Elms into a Zone One transport hub complete with two new Northern Line tube stops. For more information go to www.nepbridgecompetition.co.uk
