Better Public Building

CABE Press Release

Tilford Bridges 'achieve perfect harmony between old and new', says CABE

24 September 2007

Contact: Tessa Kordeczka, 020 7070 6769

Surrey County Council is to be presented with a plaque to mark the inclusion of Tilford Bridges in the shortlist for this year’s Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award.

Angela Fraser, Chair, and Graham Cole, Structures Team Manager, of Surrey County Council will be presented with the plaque by CABE regional representative Jon Rowland at 3.30pm on Friday 28 September. Media are invited to attend the presentation on Tilford Bridges, Tilford Road, Tilford, Surrey.

The bridges, designed by Scott Wilson, are among 18 shortlisted entries competing for the Prime Minister’s Award. The award recognises new buildings, places and spaces that, through good design, have improved local public services, create a sense of community and local pride, and are helping to build a sustainable future.

Involving the restoration of the 13^th century Tilford West Bridge (an English Heritage scheduled monument) as well as the construction of a new bridge to replace a crossing built by the army in 1941, the Bridges maintain and improve an important link for the local community.

The judges commended those involved for 'solving a complex problem' skilfully and sensitively. Design and construction of the bridges was noted for its choice of materials - including sustainable timber for the parapets - and for the recycling of much of the material from the demolition of the 1941 bridge.

CABE regional representative, Jon Rowland, said:

'Tilford Bridges manage to achieve perfect harmony between the old and the new. The whole scheme has been handled carefully and thoughtfully ensuring minimal disruption to the public during construction and minimal distraction from the natural landscape following completion. The end result is exemplary.'

Now in its seventh year, the Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award recognises excellence in design quality and procurement practices of publicly funded building schemes. The 18 schemes shortlisted for this year’s award were drawn from 117 entries. The award is jointly sponsored by CABE and the Office of Government Commerce (OGC). It is part of the British Construction Industry Awards and the winner will be announced on 10 October.

Notes to Editors

To attend the plaque presentation or for images please contact Theresa Osen on 020 7278 0068 or Theresa@originuk.com
Further information on each of the 18 shortlisted schemes can be found at the Better public building website. The complete shortlist is:
- The Bridge Arts Centre, Glasgow
- Cleveleys coastal protection, Lancashire
- Dalby Forest Visitor Centre, North Yorkshire
- Darlington Education Village, North Yorkshire
- Dunheved Bridge, Devon/Cornwall Kaleidoscope, London
- Keadby to Amcotts bank stabilization, North Lincolnshire
- King’s Cross St Pancras underground station, London
- Lower Witham flood defence scheme, Lincolnshire
- M60 widening, Greater Manchester
- National Cold War Exhibition, RAF Museum, Cosford, Shropshire
- Oldham Library and Lifelong Learning Centre, Greater Manchester
- Paradise Park Children’s Centre, London
- Promenade of Light, London
- The Richard Desmond Children’s Eye Centre, London
- The Rooftop Nursery, London
- Tilford Bridges, Surrey
- Victoria Footbridge, Hereford
CABE is the government's advisor on architecture, urban design and public space. As a public body, we encourage policymakers to create places that work for people. We help local planners apply national design policy and offer expert advice to developers and architects. We show public sector clients how to commission buildings that meet the needs of their users. And we seek to inspire the public to demand more from their buildings and spaces. Advising, influencing and inspiring, we work to create well-designed, welcoming places.
The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) is an independent office of the Treasury. Together with its executive agency OGCbuying.solutions, it works with public sector organisations to gain the best possible value for money from procurement.