Integrating Security and Aesthetics in a Railway Environment

“Bridge 1” forms a part of the major redevelopment of Stratford City in London and was lifted into place in November 2011. It is one of the main sh ared pedestrian and cycle routes to the Athletes’ Village of the Olympic Park and creates an important boundary between the public realm and the railway infrastructure beneath.

Bridge 1 spans both Network Rail (NR) and High Speed 1 ( HS1 tracks which have varying and onerous security requirements. It has undergone complex procurement and approval processes, with multiple stakeholders imposing strict, often conflicting requirements upon design. In particular, the need for a very tall parapet over the HS1 l ine, in conjunction with the tight space constraints of the site and the consequently small width of the deck, meant that avoiding a tunnel like, intimidating space was a challenge from the outset. As such, the bridge takes the form of a curvilinear steel trough structure, which satisfies the minimum security envelope requirements whilst integrating within ist complex geometry a series of perforated mesh infill panels, varying stiffeners as well as linear light fittings.

In short, Bridge 1 provide s the pub lic with a welcoming, safe and beautiful environment, whilst maintaining the safety requirements of its surrounding authorities.