The Green Bridge
This unusual landscaped bridge across the Mile End Road in East London forms a crucial link in a 3km linear park master planned by Tibbalds TM2. As part of a major regeneration programme the bridge connects open spaces dissected by roads and railways.

As well as providing safe and uninterrupted pedestrian access from one green space to another, the 25m wide bridge, designed by Piers Gough CBE of CZWG Architects, carries the park itself across the four-lane highway. Perimeter shrub planting along the edges of the bridge combined with 30 trees supported on the main deck and abutments in custom-designed tree pits make the structure an integral part of the linear park.

The bridge provides a 6m wide central pathway and cycleway with two 7m wide landscaped strips either side and railings set back 2m from the edge to prevent possible acts of vandalism directed at the roadway below. Its main span gives a clear height of 5.7m above the Mile End Road and is aligned diagonally across it to minimise impact on properties along the north side of the road.

Structurally the bridge comprises a 150mm thick concrete deck laid on permanent glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP), profiled decking supported by 1380mm deep steel girders spanning 32.5m. Planting pits were formed within the girder depth, with a permanent GRP soffit suspended from the girders to provide protection and access for maintenance. The abutments were built using conventional reinforced concrete construction with piled foundations transferring loads away from London Underground tunnels which pass nearby at relatively shallow depth.

Sustainability was a key element of this project, especially in terms of maintenance and revenue generation. Consequently the bridge abutments were designed to incorporate shops providing rental income covering much of the park’s running costs.