PROJECT STORY
The challenge
Springhead Park forms part of Kent's first 'garden city'. But with the Ebbsfleet river running through the site, it was hard for residents to reach the town centre and train station.
Building A Bridge Link For Springhead Park
Bridging the connectivity gap at Ebbsfleet Garden City
The solution
We helped to deliver a new 87-metre long bridge spanning the river to help radically reduce journey times.
The impact
The award-winning bridge provides two-lane vehicle access, along with safe pedestrian and cycle paths. It will save 20 minutes on journey times, as well as cut unnecessary car journeys.
20 minutes
saved on journey times
150,000 hours
worked on site incident free
28,000m3
of non-hazardous soft material diverted from landfill
The challenge
Springhead Park will be a brand new community in Ebbsfleet; Britain's first new 'garden city' in almost a century. But for local people, there was just one problem. The River Ebbsfleet was acting as a barrier separating the new homes from the nearby train station and future town centre. It meant that residents faced long journeys or had to rely on their car to be able to access key local facilities. They were desperate for better access links.
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The solution
The location already boasts enviable infrastructure, with the nearby Ebbsfleet International station offering a high-speed line (HS1) into London St Pancras and to the rest of Europe. However, there was a pressing need to enhance these links and improve connectivity for people living on the other side of the river, in the new Springhead Park residential area. Ebbsfleet Development Corporation knew it needed to do something, and so the idea for the new Springhead Bridge was born.
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The impact
Better access and connectivity for all
We're proud that the project went on to win Civils Project of the Year at the 2020 SECBE Awards. Its dedicated walking and cycle lanes offer safe access and mean that Springhead Park residents can reach Ebbsfleet International train station in minutes. The previous half-an-hour car journey has been reduced to little more than a 7-minute walk, bringing multiple benefits to both people and planet. Not only does it encourage more sustainable travel, it also means local people can save on parking fees, feel more connected with their local community and get home quicker at the end of a busy day.
