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This elegant pedestrian and cycle swing bridge forms the third side to a triangle formed by the Cathedral and the Silk Mill museum, enclosing Cathedral Green. It is both a connection and a meeting place, with generous wooden seating around the base of the 20 metre-high needle-like mast around which the bridge swings. The bridge is already a popular landmark.
The design, inspired by tailor’s shears and evoking the rich textiles heritage of the area, is dominated by the mast. This is connected to the box steel section bridge deck by three steel cables, providing support along the deck’s thicker outer edge, keeping the overall structural depth slender. Materials were sourced and fabricated within 15 miles of the site.
The footbridge spans the fast-flowing River Derwent and newly restored mill race and its flexible structure is low enough to integrate with the flood-plain environment yet mechanically swift enough to respond to potentially rapid water fluctuation.
The swing bridge can be operated by one person using a specially designed consol, or winched shut by hand in around 20 minutes. It uses minimum energy and the kinked back-span perfectly counterbalances the main bridge deck.
"The new swing bridge connects a number of historic buildings in Derby. The ingenious bridge design allows rotation using minimal energy."