Next generation of artists show their skills on National Highways M25 bridge competition
The next generation of artists were put to the test recently when National Highways challenged students at four Surrey schools to submit designs of the new Cockcrow Heathland bridge, part of the revamps of junction 10 on the M25.
This major scheme to redevelop the busy junction – one of the busiest on the country – includes the UK’s first heathland bridge and restoration of heathland around the junction, enhancing woodland and replacing lost habitats alongside. This bridge will also improve facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and horse-riders.
To help out National Highways with the design of the heathland bridge, four local primary schools – St Mary’s Primary School, Cobham Free School, The Marist Catholic Primary School and The Raleigh School - were recently challenged to design the new bridge by drawing some of the animals, flora and fauna that might call the heathland their home. More than 230 drawings were been received, with designs including foxes and weasels, to badgers and rabbits.
The winners will be announced in January 2023, and they will be proudly displayed on the steel sides of the bridge to be spotted by passers-by for years to come.
Simon Elliott, National Highways Senior Project Manager said:
“When we challenged four local schools to submit designs for our new heathland bridge as part of the upgrade of M25 junction 10, we had not prepared for the excellent response we would get! The talent and eye for detail in the designs is wonderful and we can’t wait to judge them, and announce the winners in January. My team and I would like to thank the schools for taking part, and the designs will certainly add a new dimension to the new bridge when its complete.”
Junction 10 on the M25 – the interchange with the A3 at Wisley – experiences large queues and heavy congestion on a daily basis. It also has one of the highest recorded collision rates across England’s motorway and major A roads nationally. This project will reduce collisions by around a third but also create a better connection and smoother traffic for the 300,000 drivers who use it every day.
To find out more about the improvements at junction 10 on the M25 by visiting the project webpage: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/south-east/m25-junction-10/
Notes to Editors
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