Rochdale Canal Bridge

The Rochdale Canal Bridge is a footbridge linking three points over the Rochdale Canal in Ancoats, Manchester. The design won an open RIBA Competition and forms part of Urban Splash’s New Islington development.

The bridge needed to allow the passage of canal boats whilst also connecting the banks with minimum changes in level for pedestrians. The resulting structure, engineered by Michael Hadi Associates, places the backbone of the bridge above the level of the deck and this is clad in laser cut steel plate. The deck itself becomes a thin cantilevering arc.

At it’s mid point, the bridge connects with the listed stone parapet wall running alongside Murrays Mills – one of the largest remaining mill buildings in Manchester, which forms a dramatic red brick backdrop to the site. A discreet connection through the wall is made with minimal impact at deck level as the main structure passes by .