1. THE BUTTERFLY BRIDGE
BEDFORD, UK

2. • The Butterfly Bridge. A footbridge over the section of the river, next to the Embankment, which is used for
rowing.
• The bridge was opened by Big Ears in 1998 after an architectural competition and was notoriously expensive.
• It was supposed to make a pontoon bridge used in the River Festival redundant and so pay for itself, but in fact it
is used as well as, rather than instead of, the temporary bride.

3. • The bridge, at 32m in span, has twin steel arches which are inclined like butterfly wings to produce a
feeling of containment on the deck and, simultaneously, an openness to the sky.
• The deck extends onto the landscaped banks at each end to engage with the open space around the
bridge and enable step-free access, with longitudinal deck lighting concealed at kicker level within the
parapets.
Date Completed : 1997 Architect: Chris Wilkinson Architects
Location : Bedford, UK Engineer: Jan Bobrowski and Partners
Client : Bedford Borough Council Contractor: Littlehampton Welding Ltd
Value : £375,000

6. The two inclined tubular steel arches form the primary structure from which the hardwood
timber deck is suspended by means of a system of rod hangers connected to transverse steel
bearers that are integral with the balusters supporting the handrails.
The two curved tubes support the suspended steel and timber deck with stainless steel cables.
The contract included the concrete abutments which required accurate setting-out of fixing
bolts, in particular those restraining the curved tubes.

8. In the context of the multiple factors informing the design, the result is functional on many
levels. Its reason to be, a level and navigable crossing of the Great Ouse [in contrast to the
steeply sloped existing suspension bridge], is a by-product of the more esoteric demands of the
design problem. Structurally the composition is at the limits of its capability. Visually it is
intentionally arresting and historically it is anchored to its site by reference to the existing. The
design is a result of a collaborative application of art and engineering in contrast to Webster's
engineering latterly perceived as art."