Castleford's stunning 130-metre pedestrian footbridge is officially open. TV's Grand Designs presenter, Kevin McCloud and council leader Peter Box officially opened the bridge on the 4^th July.

 

The £4.8m structure was designed by Renato Benedetti of McDowell & Benedetti and funded by Wakefield Council, Yorkshire Forward and English Partnerships. The footbridge links the town centre with the waterfront and ‘duck island'; a housing estate that is cut off from the town. The s-shape bridge is not only a way for pedestrian and cyclists to cross the river, it a piece of public art and public space. The bridge has already been short listed for the prestigious Prime Ministers Award for better public buildings. The opening event attracted hundreds of people including children from local schools who were invited to join in and link hands whilst crossing the bridge for the first time. After the formal opening, community celebrations went on into the evening with maypole dancing, music and the first switch on of the bridge lights.

 

This ambitious project is the last in a series to be completed in Castleford. The projects recently featured on Channel 4's first ever-televised regeneration scheme, Kevin McCloud and the Big Town Plan.