Knight Architects wins permission for timber-clad bridge in south Wales

Councillors on Monmouthshire County Council’s planning committee approved the practice’s proposals for the 60m-span crossing between the town of Abergavenny and the village of Llanfoist.

The timber and steel decked bridge will be built 100m downstream from an existing Grade II*-listed road bridge deemed too narrow to provide a safe and comfortable crossing.

Backed by the council, Knight’s bridge will be supported by earthwork abutments on both banks and a central Y-shaped pier in the shingle bar within the river channel.

The practice said its design ‘combines a geometry and scale that are respectful of the natural and historic context while providing an attractive new public amenity that directly addresses the complex hydraulic characteristics of the area’.

It added: ‘The use of high-quality natural materials will age in sympathy with the setting and provide a sustainable, safe and durable structure.’

Knight Architects associate Héctor Beade-Pereda said: ‘This project is particularly exciting for us as it will not only provide a greatly improved crossing route for the local communities, but will be an elegant, understated structure clad in timber – such a versatile material that is often underused in contemporary bridge structures.

‘We wanted to ensure that the bridge will offer a harmonious addition to the sensitive setting, as well as being a functional structure which addresses the tricky site conditions, and provides a more appropriate amenity for users.’

Steve Heaney, project manager at WSP, which provided engineering consultancy for the scheme, added: ‘One of our key objectives of the project was to deliver a solution which will promote active travel for the local community and also address the onerous conditions which the public currently faces. We can now look forward to moving towards construction of this architecturally elegant, innovative and functional footbridge.’