Updated Design Manual / 24.05 2024

At Gottlieb Paludan Architects I have been on the design team that in close collaboration with the client Network Rail has updated the design manual "Footbridges & Subways", which includes description and assessment of Network Rail's standard bridge designs. The design manual will inform and guide users in the design of new bridge and tunnel connections, leveraging good and sustainable design across the UK railway network.

With a vision to promote accessibility, Network Rail has developed a series of standard designs over the past few years, all of which comply with Network Rail's own Design Principles and ensure that users can travel easily and safely. The new standard designs, based on a deep understanding of both functionality and form, consist of 4 bridge designs for station environments as well as two bridge designs that can be used when a bridge connection across the railway is required between stations. All standard bridge designs have been assessed based on a number of qualitative parameters such as their ability to create identity, how they adapt to their surroundings and their ease of maintenance. In addition, a comprehensive analysis of life cycle costs and embodied C02 was also carried out to support sustainable decisions, with all data made freely available in the manual's appendix.

The key objective for the update has been to make the manual more accessible and simple in its communication to ensure that all stakeholders involved can make informed decisions on the most appropriate design solutions. It has thus been Gottlieb Paludan Architects' main task to help users and create the best possible basis for decision-making. To qualify the update of the manual, Gottlieb Paludan Architects has facilitated a series of workshops with relevant stakeholders from the Network Rail organisation.

The design manual is available online and can be found via this link.