Heatherwick's Rolling Bridge

The Rolling Bridge was designed by the award-winning Heatherwick Studio, working with structural engineers SKM Anthony Hunts.

Installed in August 2004, the Rolling Bridge spans an inlet of the Grand Union Canal, towards the head of Paddington Basin.

The Rolling Bridge at first appears inconspicuous; a simple steel and timber footbridge. To allow access for a boat to be moored in its inlet however, it slowly curls up until its two ends meet, forming an octagonal sculpture that stands on one side of the canal towpath.

The twelve metre bridge is made from eight triangular segments, which fold towards each other. The master unit hidden underground powers hydraulic rams within the bridge parapets, which fold the handrail. This is what enables the bridge to curl.

The Rolling Bridge was constructed at Littlehampton Welding in Sussex, and arrived at Paddington by canal. Since its official opening in September 2004 it has won a Structural Steel Award and an Emerging Architecture Award.

Every Wednesday and Friday at midday, and on Saturdays at 2pm, the team at Merchant Square delight visitors and people who live and work in Paddington by demonstrating the Rolling Bridge in action.

[thesun]

Wow they made civil engineers bridge into a real thing!

[n]

I'm an american here, just saw this from Civil Engineers polybridge video and had to search it up. It is such a shame some people in the comments are getting angry about this. This was privately funded, you don't have to wait for it to unfold you can literally walk right around it. The entire purpose of this bridge is to have a mechanism that is beautiful as an art piece as well as advertisement for the people who made it and the people who own the building.

Especially to us that love engineering the time and thought that went into designing this and then fabricating it and making it look this beautiful is seriously a feat of engineering.

They could throw down two planks and call it good but they made art instead. Sure beats the hell out of a cheap sign in terms of advertising for their business.

[CantcerCause]

its basically an art piece, it doesnt have to serve a purpose, it just sits/curls there and looks nice

[mrgummygod]

Polybrige got some crazy graphics these days

[yordanovarts.]

I've walked over that bridge ptobbably a 100 times and never knew it actually moves :D

[ThomasBomb]

Anyone else feel an insane urge to stand on that one piece that doesn't move and be completely surrounded by bridge?

[vlnow]

What i really like about the design of this bridge is that if you didn't know about it, you could easily just walk over it and not even notice there was anything special about it.

[juangonzalez]

It’s neat and all, but that canal dead ends right their, you can even see people walking around. If this was a 600 foot long slip then maybe I could see it offering convenience but it seems more like a “because we can” thing rather then an innovative solution to a problem.

[lemuelaarongonzales]

Soooo many negative comments about this bridge. I almost can’t believe it. Can’t we just appreciate the innovative thinking of Thomas Heatherwick and creating something that’s one of a kind.

[smudgemouse]

For those glass half empty joyless people who criticize this as not very useful and can't see the purpose of it - the purpose is inspiration, sculpture, art with function, and stunning, innovative design. It is and always will be a fantastic talking point for locals and tourists alike. Having seen it working, it's an utter delight and brings smiles to the faces of people of ALL ages. Great art does not have to be useful - this piece IS, but that's just a bonus.

[thomas_testing]

This bridge has loads of potential as a skate ramp

[EclipsaMyrtenaster]

Who turned on Unbreakable to build this bridge??

[gatlinservis]

I can only imagine some one on the end of the bridge not moving when it’s closing and they get trapped in a rolled up bridge

[Xeogin]

At that miserably slow speed, how do you expect that to catch anyone?

[alanmorris]

This bridge was designed by Thomas A. Heatherwick. I love it!

[halfbee]

I'd like to one day film myself standing next to that bridge while it's curling down, and I'll yell "COME ON, YOU CAN DO IT! BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! REMEMBER YOUR TRAINING! NO ONE STANDS IN YOUR WAY!" as if I'm coaching it.

[arthurwagar]

Love the way the hydraulic system is hidden.

[phoenyan]

In a Little of time this video will be filled with comments regarding real civil engineer

[smeenasiddiqui]

At 1st I though it was a thrill ride. Then a bridge across...mind blowing. Interesting and beautifuly made.🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈

[judygirod]

I love it-- both beautiful and functional.