Castleford Project, Yorkshire

Designed by McDowell+Bendetti with Alan Baxter Associates and Arup and constructed by Costain, Castleford Bridge is the most ambitious construction project of eleven interventions in Castleford as part of The Castleford Project, the Worlds first televised regeneration project, which is being filmed by Channel 4. Castleford Bridge Photos : Tim Soar 130 metres in length the S-shaped Castleford Bridge curves in response to the site context of the mill, the weir and old wrecked barge, giving users maximum experience of these landmarks and the lively flow of white water over the weir apron. The streamlined timber deck bridge is designed as a generous public space as well as a route with the structure rising through the deck to create four 20m curving benches to sit and enjoy the panoramic views. Decking is made of untreated Camaru boards, a highly durable timber twice the density of oak, sourced from sustainable forests in Brazil. The boards run longitudinally along the bridge and over the benches (with anti-slip strips on the edge) and are fitted together by a unique concealed clamped-fixing system, tailor made for the project. Stainless steel balustrades and Camaru handrails with embedded lighting provide maximum visibility for users with minimal visual impact on riverscape. The bridge is the first phase of McDowell+Bendetti's proposed waterfront regeneration master plan, which includes a new public square and boardwalk on the south bank, a landscaped public space on the north bank, and a cohesive lighting strategy surrounding the bay called the string of pearls. Castleford Bridge images / information from McDowell+Bendetti