- The proposed Radnor Bridge would connect two communities across the River Thames in Richmond borough, improving accessibility between the areas and enhancing the local landscape. It would provide pedestrian and cycle paths to improve transportation options while protecting biodiversity. With its strategic positioning and elegant, sustainable design that blends into the natural environment, the bridge could help stimulate social and economic development in the area through improved access between communities and amenities. Local advocates hope to make the project a reality through community support, funding, and environmental reviews.

1. Genesis of a footbridge
from a community
perspective
Mark Wing - Interrelated
Richard Woolf - McDanielWoolf
Footbridges: Past, Present & Future
16-18 July 2014, Imperial College, London, UK

2. Nothing
great was
ever
achieved
without
enthusiasm
Ralph Waldo Emerson

5. 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

7. 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

8. Why – to build a river crossing
The borders of
Richmond borough sit
straddled across two
sides of the River
Thames

9. 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

11. 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.”

13. Where – to build a river crossing

14. Where – to build a river crossing
Strategic positioning
Serving the needs of the wider population

15. Where – to build a river crossing
Strategic 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

19. What – to build

20. What – to build
Two guiding principles
1. 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

21. 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

22. TA
XI

29. How – to make it a reality

30. 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?

31. How – to make it a reality
We believe it is three fold
1. Secure funding
2. Environmental audit
3. Commission surveys

32. How – to make it a reality
We 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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

37. Thank you