Architectural firm Foster + Partners has won a competition to design two new river crossing in Ipswich.

The £77 million Orwell Crossings Project will see new routes created to help relieve congestion issues which affect the town centre.

In addition, the scheme aims to revitalise the central urban quarter by introducing new public spaces and routes along the River Orwell, with pedestrian and cycle links between the island site, inner harbour and waterfront.

Foster + Partners were selected for the scheme through a design competition managed by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) on behalf of the Suffolk County Council.

The judging panel appointed the firm from a shortlist of five international teams that included Adamson Associates with William Matthews Associates and Ney & Partners; Knight Architects; Marc Mimram; and Wilkinson Eyre with FHECOR and EADON Consulting.

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Judges said they were "impressed by the quality of Foster + Partners' overall approach and thinking, including the initial design concepts presented for the project's three constituent bridge crossings. The approaches were considered to have the potential to provide a very appropriate response to the waterfront context and townscape, as well as acting as a catalyst for regeneration of the wider harbour area".

Spencer de Grey, Head of Design, Foster + Partners, said: "The design of the bridges focusses on enhancing the experience of crossing the Orwell River, increasing interconnectivity and reducing congestion in the town centre.

"The project also offers the opportunity to consider the design of the bridges in a wider urban context, creating new promenades and public spaces between the riverfront, inner harbour and island.

"We look forward to working with the Suffolk County Council to develop and refine our proposals over the coming months to help realise a new urban vision for Ipswich."

Council Leader Colin Noble said: "The announcement of Foster + Partners being selected as the architectural team behind the Upper Orwell Crossings is a great outcome for Ipswich and Suffolk as a whole.

"The design element of the project is crucial and with Foster + Partners' input I believe the final design of the crossings, once completed, will be looked at in the same light as their iconic Willis Building in Ipswich's town centre.

"We are excited to be working with such a highly-regarded group for this project that is important for the town as it enables us to reap benefits that will greatly outweigh the cost of the project."

(LM/MH)