A ‘cinematic experience’ on A27 Chichester bridge

The Whyke Horizon bridge was officially opened by Mayor of Chichester, Councillor Peter Budge SUS-150911-170645001

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Highways England has described the new Whyke Footbridge over the A27 at Chichester as ‘providing a sense of discovery and delight’ and a ‘fun and playful cinematic experience’ with its ‘human scaled skeletal interior’.

The ‘Whyke Horizon’ footbridge was officially opened over the A27 near Chichester last week (November 6), with a ceremony attended by children from Chichester Free School, community leaders and the Highways England project team who designed and built the bridge.

The ribbon was cut by the Mayor of Chichester, Councillor Peter Budge.

The new name for the bridge was suggested by Alan Carn, co-chairman of Whyke Residents Association.

Cllr Budge said: “It has been a great honour to open the new Whyke Horizon bridge and I would like to thank Highways England and Balfour Beatty Mott MacDonald for all their hard work and effort.

“The bypass has needed a bridge for a long time and it is so good to see such an impressive and beautifully designed structure which will really benefit the community.”

The 41 tonne, 41 metre-long bridge was installed overnight on June 22 and opened to the public on August 24.

A Highways England spokesman described the bridge as ‘providing a sense of discovery and delight’ and a ‘fun and playful cinematic experience’ with its ‘human scaled skeletal interior’.

“The exterior of the bridge is deliberately understated, with a subtle fluid form of curved, faceted surfaces providing a simple and elegant response to its context,” said Highways England.

“To contrast this, the interior is intended to be fun and playful.

“Regularly spaced transverse ribs, required to stiffen the thru-trough, constantly change in profile across the span.