A bridge from China to Jericho

Michael Barnes of Richmond Road is a documentary film maker who in 1999 produced a PBS/Channel 4 programme about unique Song Dynasty ‘rainbow bridge’. The bridge had been portrayed in an ancient scroll, but the original was long gone and the principles behind its construction were a mystery.

However, respected bridge engineer and historian, Tang Huan Cheng extrapolated from the scroll that the bridge was constructed using interwoven wooden beams – similar to the woven canes in a wicker basket. This resulted in its recreation in 1999 as a sturdy wood rainbow bridge in the town of Jinze, near Shanghai – with Michael filming the activity.

Bridges have also caused some head scratching in Jericho. The bridge in the new Jericho Wharf development needs to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). This could entail either long ramps on either side of the canal or lifts for wheelchairs or buggies. The developer’s most recent plans indicated that they might use lifts. However, these seem be unlikely to accommodate the sturdier disability scooters that are now more common than wheelchairs.

A possibility is to have two bridges. One, at the bottom of Great Clarendon Street, could be an automated ‘at-level’, lift or swing bridge which would be DDA-compliant and take cycles and scooters. The other bridge, leading directly into the square, could take pedestrians and wheeled bikes and have a more interesting form. The Song bridge would certainly attract attention from timber frame construction enthusiasts– and possibly funding, local or international.

The proposal has already garnered other support. The Jericho Wharf Trust and the Jericho Community Association are interested in considering this kind of ‘feature bridge’ as part of a two-bridge solution. And at a recent My Jericho meeting residents were clearly enthusiastic about the idea. Michael has also been in contact with the City Council planners and the Canal and River Trust, and is hoping to make a presentation to the developer – the Hong Kong-registered Jericho Wharf Regeneration Company.

The company says that a planning application for the whole site is imminent – a familiar status….