Merchant Square Footbridge

Merchant Square Footbridge
Each section of the bridge rises independently, with separate counterweights visible at the far side
Coordinates	51.5187°N 0.1719°W / 51.5187; -0.1719
Carries	Pedestrians
Crosses	Grand Union Canal
Locale	Merchant Square (a development of six buildings)
Owner	European Land
Characteristics
Design	Longitudinal segmented bascule with counterweights
Material	Steel segments, concrete, hydraulic actuators, stainless steel handrails with LED downlighting
Total length	20 metres (66 ft)
Width	3 metres (9.8 ft)
No. of spans	1
Load limit	Pedestrian
Clearance above	2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) at mid-channel
History
Architect	Knight Architects
Engineering design by	AKT II (structural); Eadon Consulting (mechanical, hydraulic, electrical)
Constructed by	Mace
Construction end	2014
Location
Interactive map of Merchant Square Footbridge
References
http://www.archdaily.com/553405/merchant-square-footbridge-knight-architects

The Merchant Square Footbridge (also known as The Fan Bridge) is a moveable pedestrian bridge spanning a canal in Paddington, London. It is composed of five side-by side sections of varying lengths, with offset pivots to accommodate the varying lengths. When opened, the segments are brought to varying angles of elevation. The visual effect when opened has been likened to that of a Japanese fan.

Not to be confused with the Fan Bridge which crosses Holland Brook (formerly known as the Holland River) between Little Clacton and Great Holland in Essex (UK) (OS Grid Ref: TM 19710 18667 / Latitude 51°49'24"N Longitude 1°11'12"E). This was the lowest crossing-point until the Gunfleet estuary was reclaimed in the 1700s.

See also

• List of bridges in London
• Moveable bridges for a list of other moveable bridge types
• The Rolling Bridge

External links

• Architecture Daily Website