Engineering award for new landmark bridge

The bridge received the community benefit award at the Institution of Civil Engineers South Coast dinner on Friday.

It was one of 29 schemes shortlisted for the ICE’s Engineering Excellence South East England awards.

The judges noted the modern swing bridge for cyclists and pedestrians provided a carbon-neutral means to travel between Shoreham town and beach.

They added: “We were impressed at how the new bridge provides a real alternative to the car, providing pedestrians and cyclists better access from the Shoreham beach to the town centre, with an improved facility for access at night and protection from high cross winds.”

The modern steel and concrete structure, featuring illuminated handrails for use after dark, is designed to cope with 800,000 crossings a year and to last 120 years.

It was also noted the stretch of tidal salt marsh made the location environmentally sensitive but the river flow was improved by replacing the old footbridge embankments with five mono-piles and the glass provided wind protection.