A design team led by Bystrup Architecture Design and Engineering has won a design competition for central London’s first car-free bridge for cyclists and pedestrians.

Wandsworth Council, which is overseeing the project, is now likely to name the design team as preferred bidder for the project, which will link Nine Elms and Pimlico.

The full winning design team includes several companies: Bystrup, Robin Snell & Partners, ÅF Lighting Aecom and COWI Engineering. They were chosen ahead of shortlisted lead firms Arup and Buro Happold.

They have proposed a slender bridge featuring two single spire masts and spiralling access ramps at both ends. The bridge will be raised high above the banks of the river, so that large vessels can pass beneath.

“From the outset we wanted to design an elegant bridge that provided simple and uninhibited access for all, with minimal impact landings on each bank,” said lead architect Erik Bystrup.

“We are very excited that this will be the first shared pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Thames, adding to the rich history of London’s river crossings.”

Graham Stirk, senior partner at Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and chair of the competition jury panel, said: “Ultimately we felt that Bystrup and their partners had the most compelling approach to the challenges posed in our brief. Their strategy is elegant and simple, they aspire to celebrate the river and create a thing of real beauty which is what this bridge should be.

“The exploration of lighting and textured surfaces to manage movement across the bridge is both interesting and inventive. They see the bridge as a sustainable transport link and piece of new public realm which should be attractive, fun and a pleasure to use.”

A final decision on the design will be made by the council’s executive group on November 30. It will decide whether the proposal will promote active commuting, create a landmark for the area and meet the suggested £40m (US$60m, €57m) budget – of which £26m (US$39m, €37m) has already been raised through developments in the Nine Elms district.

The development of the bridge is part of the London mayor’s London Plan and is supported by local government group Transport for London (TfL) – which has sets out five options on this stretch of the river where a bridge could be accommodated.

However, some local residents have hit out at the project, arguing that the development is unnecessary given alternative bridges nearby and will eat up valuable green space in Pimlico Gardens.

Negotiations and consultations will continue once the council reaches its decision, which is expected by the end of the month. No planning or construction timeline has yet been given.

A number of high-profile bridge developments have been earmarked for London, including Thomas Heatherwick’s controversial £175m (US$294m, €216m) Garden Bridge and an opening cycle bridge connecting Canary Wharf with Rotherhithe.

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