The new bridge over the River Soar forms a part of the City Council’s major programme of works which is currently transforming the quality of the public realm throughout Leicester. To date more than £20m has been committed to these improvements, which set an exemplar standard and enhance the environment of the city.

Leicester City Council is committed to improving and extending the network of footpaths and cycle routes in and around the city, as part of the vision of a city which plans for people not cars and which, by getting people out of their cars, will create a friendlier, safer feeling and healthier society.

Abbey Meadows will be home not only to the new Leicester Science Park, which will capitalise on the world class research and innovation strengths of Leicester’s two universities - but also to new waterfront homes, to be built on the opposite bank of the River Soar on Wolsey Island.

The new bridge is in a very attractive stretch of the river between Abbey Park to the south and Swan’s Nest Weir to the north. It will provide foot and cycle access between these two sections of the regeneration area and will also connect with existing national and local cycle routes through Leicester and form part of a much needed, east-west route in this area of the city.

The construction of this bridge is another signpost to the very significant public and private sector investment scheduled for the Abbey Meadows regeneration area.

RIBA Competitions Office, 6 Melbourne Street, Leeds LS2 7PS, riba.competitions@inst.riba.org

RIBA Competitions