The open competition to design a footbridge to complete the riverside path to the River Thames near Lechlade, was a singular opportunity for a relaxed approach to design. Peter Ayley's response, engineered with Sam Price (Price & Myers), took the movement pattern of walkers, local context and humour as the most important considerations.

The plan form and major structure is that of a fish with a backbone and ribs, welded together from Cor Ten steel - the steel which develops a rusty finish. The two ends of the bridge were ramped for wheelchairs, push-chairs and cyclists, with rubble walls from the local limestone. The unfinished oak deck, like the other materials, would mellow in time and become integrated with the natural landscape.

THAMES FOOTPATH BRIDGE COMPETITION