The vast redevelopment of the King's Cross railway lands project is centred on the Regents Canal, which bisects the site and is crossed by a single highway bridge. The form of the new Regents Canal road bridge is dictated by the modest 27m span, the highway loading and the need to carry new large diameter service pipes across the canal. The brief called for a high quality yet understated piece of infrastructure, sensitive to the historic industrial setting.

The primary structure is expressed through a simple precast white concrete ‘picture frame’ across the waterway, counterpointing a high quality parapet design which forms part of a traffic-calmed pedestrian domain linking Granary Square with Goods Way. Low energy LED lighting is incorporated into the parapet top rail and the stainless steel pilasters which book end the bridge.

At towpath level, great care has been taken in the forming of a fine ribbed soffit and abutment walls to provide a uniform surface for uplighters, which will continue the high quality public realm and discourage vandalism. Two new footbridges will complete the links across the canal in future development phases.