Two cantilevers that don't quite meet in the middle
Ney & Partners and William Matthews Associates for English Heritage
Contract value: £3.5m
Length: 68m
Cost per m2: £20,000
According to myth King Arthur was conceived at Tintagel Castle, where a new bridge now spans the 65m void between headland and mainland. For centuries visitors had to cross a wooden bridge at the foot of the void and climb onto the island, restricting access and causing congestion. The design is relatively simple – two cantilevers which reach out from each abutment and don’t quite meet in the middle. Technically the central gap allows each half of the bridge to expand and contract; poetically it creates a threshold. A series of 15m long rock anchors tie the bridge halves into each cliff face.