A white arch bridge spans over a calm river, reflecting its image in the water. Surrounding the bridge are trees with autumn foliage in shades of green, yellow, and orange. The sky is partly cloudy, and the sun casts a warm light on the scene.

Taunton River Tone

Taunton, England

2007 — 2011

Client Somerset County Council

Infrastructure · Road & Rail

Opened in autumn 2011, the new urban highway bridge across the River Tone in Taunton subtly reworks the twin arch form to minimise the mass of the bridge in sensitivity to its picturesque surroundings. Carrying two cycle tracks, two footpaths and the main road, its careful design reverses the visual standard: it has been conceived as a footbridge that also happens to carry a busy road.

View of a modern pedestrian bridge with a distinctive arch design. Wooden benches are positioned on either side of the walkway, surrounded by metal railings. In the background, green trees and a clear blue sky are visible.

This subtlety is achieved through carefully balanced proportions and slender edge detailing, both lending an elegant, quiet appearance. At night, lighting is provided by discrete low-level light sources illuminating the pedestrian walkways, whilst the arch is lit by low voltage uplighters that trace their curve.

The bridge is a key part of a major re-development of the surrounding areas of Taunton, in Somerset, and the first of three public sector bridge projects by Moxon Architects and structural engineers COWI at the site.