Planning approval granted for Yorkshire school footbridge

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has granted planning permission for a new footbridge across the River Tees, facilitating a direct connection between the main campus of Yarm School with its new sports pitches on the adjacent bank of the river.

Designed by infrastructure specialists Knight Architects with OPS structural engineering and Leeds-based SH Structures, the 70m-long pedestrian bridge forms part of the school’s masterplan to expand its sports facilities. The new structure will promote active travel, allowing faculty, students and their families to reach the pitches directly from the school without needing to use a vehicle.

The three arched span arrangement frames the River Tees with both piers situated on the embankments, allowing the river – which can frequently flood – to flow freely underneath the structure. Using the site context to its advantage, the team has designed the bridge with the lightest of touches on the surrounding environment, minimizing ramps and approaches on both sides of the river.

The choice of weathering steel protects the bridge and allows for a paint- free approach over its lifespan. This material also evolves during its aging process, from light to darker brown, tuning the bridge into the surrounding natural, wooded environment.

A carved pattern on the parapet improves structural transparency whilst providing an appealing and joyful aesthetic. Different shadows will be cast on the deck at different times of the day, offering a changing user experience.

Construction is scheduled to start in 2023 with completion in Summer 2023.

Commenting on the structure, Knight Architects Bridge Designer Davide Meucci says: “Once in place, the bridge will be a contemporary addition to the school’s architecture, providing a new and distinctive piece of infrastructure to the riverside environment. The crossing will be at the center of the students’ sports life, providing a key link to the new pitches and creating a scenic background for the school's rowing team. We are thrilled to see the project achieving this milestone and we look forward to the next stages.”

Related project: Yarm School Footbridge