River Douglas Crossing
Where will the bridge and greenway be located?
RIBA Bridge Design Competition
Stakeholder and Public Consultation
How much will a new bridge cost and how will it be delivered?
REMADE has recently commissioned the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to run an international design competition for a new bridge crossing over the River Douglas. The bridge will carry a linear greenway incorporating a multi-user path for use by walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The path will be designed to have a minimum width of 4m, a maximum gradient of 1 in 20 and a non-slip finish will be provided. 1.5m high parapets will enable use by cyclists and horse riders and a handrail of 1m high will be provided. A site appraisal of the land immediately adjoining the proposed bridge location has also been undertaken.
Where will the bridge and greenway be located?
The proposed location for the bridge is the site of the former Preston to Southport railway bridge between Hesketh Bank in West Lancashire and Much Hoole in South Ribble.
The site includes the derelict abutments of the original railway, the line of the former railway within the Alty’s site at Hesketh Bank and the railway embankment within farmland near Much Hoole. The original railway bridge was an 85m long structure that was demolished in the 1960’s. If built, the new bridge structure will run between the existing railway embankments which are approximately 5m above mean high water level.
A greenway is a way of connecting people to facilities and open spaces in and around towns, cities and the countryside. They are for shared use by people of all abilities on foot, bike or horseback, for commuting, play or leisure. Greenways link to other networks such as the National Cycle Network, towpaths beside inland waterways, National Trails and other rights of way. It is currently envisaged that the bridge will carry a ‘greenway’ that will connect into the Alty's site providing access to the site itself and to Station Road within Hesketh Bank. Within Much Hoole, it is envisaged that the bridge will connect to the existing public rights of way network including the right of way along the coastline leading to Longton. Consultation will take place with stakeholders and the public to identify a preferred route for the greenway. Steps and ramps from the proposed bridge will be used to provide direct access to the existing riverside public rights of way.
For a number of years there has been a desire for a new crossing over the River Douglas which would serve the needs of walkers, cyclists and horse riders. A new bridge will provide an alternative crossing point to the busy A59 road bridge which crosses the river at Tarleton.
Organisations and groups including the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Lancashire County Council, West Lancashire District Council, South Ribble Borough Council and the Ribble Coast & Wetlands Regional Park group, consider that the bridge will help deliver a number of strategic benefits:
- Improved access to the community facilities and attractions within the Ribble Coast and Wetlands Regional Park.
- Removal of a key obstacle to the development of a Lancashire Coastal trail and wider Northwest Coastal Trail route between Southport and Preston.
- A new crossing will facilitate the development of a new section of the National Cycle Network between Southport and Preston.
- Be an integral part of the redevelopment of the Alty’s site at Hesketh Bank and the creation of a riverside linear park within West Lancashire district.
- Improve access to facilities and attractions with South Ribble borough including Longton Brickcroft Local Nature Reserve.
- Overall benefit of providing a safe, attractive, car free route for healthy commuting, recreation and sport.
Ribble Coast & Wetlands Regional Park
The Ribble Coast and Wetlands Regional Park, is an area considered to be one of the most important places for wildlife in Europe. REMADE are currently leading on the River Douglas crossing project on behalf of the Ribble Coast and Wetlands Regional Park Partnership. The Partnership has a vision that by 2020, the Ribble Coast and Wetlands will be an internationally recognised destination, based on its environmental assets which are to be conserved and enhanced. It is anticipated that the new river crossing will function not only as an access route but also as a flagship attraction within the Regional Park alongside other visitor attractions including Martin Mere Wetland Centre and the RSPB Hesketh Out Marsh Reserve. For further information visit: www.rpx.org.uk - Regional Parks Xchange.
Lancashire Coastal Way and Northwest Coastal Trail
A new crossing of the River Douglas at Hesketh Bank/Much Hoole will facilitate the expansion of the Lancashire Coastal Way from Longton to Southport. The Lancashire Coastal Way currently runs from Silverdale (in Lancaster district) to the Fylde coast. The Ribble Way then provides a further section of coastal path between Preston Docks and Longton village. The Lancashire Coastal Way and Ribble Way are signed and way-marked routes containing sections of formal promenades, made paths and rural footpaths. For further information visit: www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/countryside/sites
The idea of a Regional Coastal Trail – the Northwest Coastal Trail - has been around for more than 20 years. Since 2002, the Northwest Coastal Forum has been working up the project to create a coastal trail from Chester to Carlisle. The aim of the trail is to provide a continuous 1,400km route suitable for walking, cycling and horse riding. It will also create a destination that will attract walkers and cyclists from across Europe, boosting the regional economy and helping to sustain jobs as a major new leisure and tourism resource. For more information visit: www.nwcoastalforum.co.uk
National Cycle Network
Currently there is no locally or nationally signed cycle route between Southport and Preston. Most people use existing main roads including the A59 which includes a few sections of off road cycle path. The proposed River Douglas bridge crossing and associated greenway will facilitate the provision of a new National Cycle Network cycle route for leisure, utility, school travel and commuter use. Options for a Southport to Preston cycle route may include upgrading existing public rights of way into made paths and the use of signed quiet lanes. Quiet lanes include minor rural roads which are appropriate for shared use by walkers, cyclists, horse riders and motorised users. For further information on the National Cycle Network, visit www.sustrans.org.uk
Redevelopment of Alty’s site / West Lancashire Linear Park
Any redevelopment of the Alty’s site will require a route to be safeguarded for the bridge connection and greenway. West Lancashire District Council have allocated land adjacent to the River Douglas in planning policy documents for a riverside linear park.
South Ribble Green Infrastructure Network Improvements
South Ribble Borough Council is keen to use the Ribble Coast and Wetlands Regional Park to help promote existing facilities and attractions within the Borough e.g. Longton Brickcroft Local Nature Reserve whilst also developing new attractions including increased useage of the South Ribble coastline.
View the
site boundary 
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View an aerial photo of the site.
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The derelict remains of the abutments and piers of the former railway bridge are present on both sides of the river.
On the eastern side of the river an earth embankment marks the line of the former railway. From Haunders Lane a rough track on the embankment provides access to farmland.
On the western side, the line of the former railway within the Alty's site is an area of neglected scrub vegetation. The line of the former railway comes to an end at Station Road. The road tunnel has been filled in and a residential street is now located on the site of the former Hesketh Bank railway station.
The original railway bridge, demolished in the 1960’s, was a multi span steel bridge with a swinging centre section supported on a pier in the centre of the river. The bridge would swing open to allow masted vessels through, providing access to the Alty’s Brickworks site and to the towns and settlements along the River Douglas and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, through to Wigan.
No drawings or other technical data relating to this structure are available. Photographs indicate that the pier foundations appear to be large diameter steel or cast iron tubes, generally protected by timber piles. Remains of some of the tubes are visible in front of the West abutment. The extent of the remains of the other piers is unknown. The abutments were not demolished with the rest of the bridge and remain. They appear to be constructed from engineering brick, however, it is typical of these types of structures to be brick faced reinforced or mass concrete. Further photographs are available to view at: www.heskethbank.com
RIBA Bridge Design Competition
The design brief for the RIBA design competition summarises the REMADE vision for the bridge as:
“REMADE are looking for a fine structure of its time in harmony with the surrounding landscape and one that legibly marks the crossing point.”
The competition timetable, which may be subject to variation, is as follows:-
- Competition Launched: 12 May2008
- Brief available: w/c 12 May 2008
- Site visit: 23 May 2008
- Question deadline: 30 May 2008
- Replies to questions: 6 June 2008
- Registration deadline: 24 June 2008
- Submission deadline: 1 July 2008
- Stage 1 Assessment: 10 July 2008
- Shortlist announced: w/c 14 July 2008
- Stage 2 Submission deadline: w/c 1 September 2008
- Stage 2 presentations w/c 6 October 2008
- Winner announced: w/c 13 October 2008
It is intended that a professional model will be made of the winning entry.
The design competition is made up of two stages. The first stage saw the submission of 110 entries, including submissions from Hong Kong, Japan, USA, Australia and Malaysia as well as the UK and Europe. The 7 short-listed designs were submitted by:
- Amin Taha Architects, London (size 782kb)
- Guy Nordenson & Associates, USA (size 782kb)
- JDA with Arup, London (size 616kb)
- Nick Hancock Design Studio, London (size 814kb)
- NPS North West Ltd, Cumbria (size 932kb)
- Ramboll Whitbybird with Priestman Goode, London (size 946kb)
- t-hoch-n Architektur, Austria (size 635kb)
The Stage 1 jury panel consisted of representatives from REMADE, the Northwest Regional Development Agency, RIBA, Lancashire County Council - Bridges, the Ribble Coast & Wetlands Regional Park and a specialist bridge advisor. The Stage 2 jury panel will also include representatives from West Lancashire District Council and South Ribble Borough Council.
The Stage 2 competition jury panel met the short-listed designers on 10 October 2008 at The Pavillion in Avenham Park, Preston. The designers gave formal presentations and answered panel questions. The jury panel then scored the designs on how well they met the judging criteria of design flair, visual impact, engineering and cost assessment, sustainability and deliverability. The results of the public and stakeholder consultation were also scored and added to the jury scores.
First prize has been awarded to JDA Architects with Arup for their elegant design. Second place was awarded to Nick Hancock Design Studio for the Flying Bridge and third place was awarded to Guy Nordenson and Associates for the Simply Supported Stress bridge.
The winner will be awarded a proze of £8,000, 2nd place will be awarded £4,000 and 3rd place £2,000. All of the short-listed entrants will receive an honoraria of £1,500+VAT. The total honoraria and prizes for the competition therefore total £24,500.
Further information regarding the design competition format and design brief can be found on the dedicated competition website www.riverdouglas.co.uk For further information on RIBA, visit www.architecture.com
Stakeholder and Public Consultation
REMADE has been in contact with a number of stakeholders including landowners, the Environment Agency and British Waterways throughout the drafting of the design brief and the implementation of the design competition.
Prior to the Stage 1 competition judging, over 80 stakeholders including representatives from the county, district and parish councils, were invited to view and comment on the 110 submitted designs at a drop in Advisory Session at All Saints Church Hall in Hesketh Bank on Wednesday 9th July 2008. The stakeholder feedback was considered by the Stage 1 Jury Panel.
Stakeholders and the public took part in consultation events for the seven short-listed entries between 15th and 26th September 2008. Electronic versions of the short-listed designs were also available to view and comment on, on-line. The designs were also available to view and comment on at Tarleton and Longton Libraries and Tootsies Ice Cream Parlour and the Smithy Inn, Much Hoole. Manned displays were also held at Walmer Bridge Village Hall (23rd September) and All Saints Church Hall in Hesketh Bank (25th September). In total 271 feedback forms were received from the consultation. Thank you to all the local residents and stakeholders that took part in the consultation events.
In tandem with the stakeholder and public consultation REMADE and the County Council School Travel Plan Advisor, ran a local school art competition to design a bridge. Three local primary schools - Hesketh with Beconsall, Tarleton Community and Tarleton Holy Trinity, took part in the competition. The REMADE team were delighted with the entries received and with the School Travel Plan Advisor selected a winner and 4 runners-up for each school. The River Douglas Bridge Design Competition Jury panel then viewed the winning entries and selected an overall winning school. The winning pupils received £40 Halfords gift vouchers to spend on cycling accessories and the winning school received £100 for learning resources. Each of the runners-up received consultation prizes including a bicycle bell, pedometer and frisbee.
The winner and runner up artwork can be viewed here. Thank you to all the children and schools for taking part.
The bridge design brief required designers to respect the following river clearance and intrusions requirements:
- Deck surface level is to be 12.0m AOD at each end of the bridge to tie into the existing embankments. Deck soffit level is to be no lower than 11.0m AOD.
- A minimum clear span of 25m is to be provided over the River Douglas, centred on the river channel.
- No more than 2 support points will be allowed between abutments. These must not reduce the waterway area by more than 5%.
- The existing footpaths on both banks are to be maintained with a minimum opening 5m wide and 2.7m high.
The restriction to navigation was recognised at an early stage but was not considered to be a major issue in drafting the design competition brief. Navigation is currently restricted by a pipe bridge, 850m upstream, and has been for many decades. There are no moorings between the railway embankment and the pipe bridge. No navigation authority has been identified so far and LCC legal officers are currently interpreting statute law relating to the River Douglas and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
An opening bridge was considered at the outset, but in view of the navigation restrictions upstream and the associated costs of an opening bridge (costing approximately 10 times as much as a fixed bridge) this option was not considered a viable proposition and would be outside the NWDA’s budget allocation to this project of £2-3million. The option of raising the bridge soffit level by a further 10m would require 120m long ramps at each side of the river, also rendering this option unviable.
Any crossing point downstream of the Rufford Branch of the canal will be subject to the same problems as the railway line site. Moving the crossing upstream of the Rufford Branch, between the Tarleton lock and the A59 road bridge, would significantly reduce the effectiveness of the route in improving access to the Ribble Coast and Wetlands Regional Park and the Lancashire Coast.
How much will a new bridge cost and how will it be delivered?
The budget for the scheme has not yet been fixed and will be determined to suit the competition winner. Initial construction costs and likely maintenance costs will be considered in conjunction with the flair and scale of the design and the quality of the materials and detailing. As a guide, a budget figure of £2-3 million was given to competition entrants.
It is the intention that the winning design will be developed and built subject to gaining sufficient funding and obtaining necessary consents. The winning design will be used by REMADE, Lancashire County Council and Ribble Coast & Wetlands Regional Park group to progress the greenway scheme and obtain the necessary funding.
On completion of the bridge design competition, REMADE will agree the way forward with the project with the NWDA, Ribble Coast & Wetlands Regional Park steering group and the two district councils.