A £495,000 bridge canopy inspired by a swan in flight and spanning the Forth & Clyde Canal within Clydebank town centre was lifted into place at the end of last week.

The canopy is designed by leading international architects RMJM, who won a competition entered by more than 60 architects from around the world to create a landmark structure as part of the town’s regeneration plans.

The winning design mirrors a swan in flight and was chosen from 66 designs by Clydebank Re-built, the town’s urban regeneration company, and the RIAS (The Royal Incorporation of Architects Scotland). The canopy, which was funded by the Scottish Government, Clydebank Re-built and URBAN II European funding, will cover the Sylvania Way pedestrian bridge spanning the Forth & Clyde Canal within Clydebank town centre and replaces the unpopular 25 year old metal-latticed frame, creating a new focal point for the town.


RMJM teamed up with international multi disciplinary engineering consultancy Buro Happold to devise the elegant structure and select materials that were both sustainable and maintenance free. Both the tensile fabric used for the canopy and the steel used for its supports are recyclable or reusable.

The canopy spans 40m, cantilevering 20m on either side of the central supports. The fabric is PTFE coated glass fibre, which is the same material used to cover the O2 Arena, and is stretched over a series of arches to form the wings of a swan. Each wing is supported by steel arms springing from four steel legs spread either side of the bridge.

Winning designer, Neil McLean of architects RMJM, wanted to create a design that reflected the natural environment and rejuvenation of the town and surrounding area: "The canopy takes inspiration from a swan in flight over the canal, with two long cantilevering wing spans emerging from a central supporting steel structure. I wanted to design something that was both beautiful and sustainable.

"I wanted the canopy to represent the natural environment of the river, canal and mudflats downstream, which are well known for attracting a diverse range of bird species. It was also symbolic of the community rising to take on a new life as part of the town’s wider regeneration plans."

The canopy will be complete and ready for use in May 2008.

(GK/NS)