Redhayes Pedestrian Bridge
- location:
- M5 Exeter
- client:
- Devon County Council
- role:
- Architecture
- sector:
- Infrastructure
- value:
- £2.95m
- status:
- Completed 2011
A steel arch and a suspended landscape pathway, create a dramatic gateway
Working in collaboration with Structural Engineers Parsons Brinckerhoff the new bridge provides pedestrian and cycle improvements and connects existing and proposed residential areas to the West of the M5 Motorway, to proposed developments on the Eastern side such as: Exeter Science Park Gateway, Intermodal rail freight facility, Exeter Airport Expansion Skypark, Devon County Council’s business park.
The concept of the bridge falls into two parts. The first is the generation of a steel arch, which reaches over the motorway, creating a very strong and dramatic gateway to Exeter and beyond. Cables are deliberately fixed to the inner face of the arch to maintain a clean appearance of this primary element when viewed from the motorway. The second element is the bridge deck, which is conceived as a suspended landscape pathway, connecting the two sides.
The design sort to achieve an elegant and cost-efficient structure which made use of pre-fabrication to reduce motorway closures during construction.
Architectural enhancements were an important device to enhance the experience for both motorway users below and pedestrians crossing the bridge on foot, establishing it as a unique landmark for Exeter and the South West region.
