Pont y Ddraig (Dragon’s Bridge) is a 60m pedestrian and cycle bridge, which spans over the River Clwyd at Rhyl harbour.
Part of a reported £10.3m regeneration project in the heart of the Denbighshire seaside resort town – funded by the Welsh Government, European Regional Development Fund, the Big Lottery Fund through SUSTRANS, RWE and Denbighshire County Council – the bridge is a twin bascule, rising high above a central caisson and allowing boats to pass underneath.
Linking existing buildings and proposed developments to either side of the harbour, the bridge is an iconic structure and a distinctive attraction drawing visitors to the area.
The bridge was named by Rhyl youngster Leon Jones following a competition among local schools, and was officially opened by World and Paralympic cycling champion Mark Colbourne MBE.
Designed by Ramboll and constructed by Dawnus Construction, LTP Integration was approached by the latter to provide lighting solutions to the new Pont y Ddraig in Rhyl.
The invite to play an integral part in the largescale redevelopment of Rhyl Harbour came following a recommendation from Andrew Marginson of Ramboll, due to our lighting efforts on the award winning Jarrold Bridge in Norwich.
LTP Integration was asked to devise a task lighting scheme to the bridge deck area to satisfy lighting levels as per BS EN13201-2 2003 to a luminance of level S3 or higher, whilst also providing the required longevity of operation in the hostile saltwater environment.
To meet the brief and the required lighting effects and levels, LTP used our extensive experience in structure lighting design and installation to select the most appropriate luminaires for this application. Each of the lighting elements specified used a low voltage LED based solution, ensuring energy efficiency and environmentally friendly results, with due consideration taken with regards to light pollution.
For the bridge deck lighting a low voltage, highly energy-efficient 4w LED based handrail light solution was selected to provide the required lighting levels and a pleasant aesthetic. This product projects the light exactly where required, thus minimising pollution.
A high output, low energy LED based solution was used for the bridge mast to accentuate the main body of the mast and provide illumination to the caisson deck, marrying it to the bridge deck lighting with the same cool white colour temperature.
A colour changing solution was provided for the bridge underside, with elements viewable from land and sea illuminating the bridge decks in both lowered and raised orientations. These provide a pleasant coloured reflection in the water below when the decks are in their lowered position. The system enables colour changing over the entire length of both bridge decks, and also offers the ability to provide animated or static rainbow effects marrying with the Y Rhyl logo.
Successfully designing and installing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly lighting solutions to Rhyl’s newest waterside landmark, LTP was integral in providing the North Wales seaside town with a beacon for locals and visitors to the area.
Forming part of the national cycle route 5, as well as the All Wales Coast Path, the new bridge provides an easier, quicker and safer route for pedestrians and cyclists alike, whilst also connecting the communities of Rhyl and Kinmel Bay.
The bridge is a truly iconic structure, and the centrepiece of the multi-million pound regeneration of the area.
“We continue to receive positive feedback from the public regarding the bridge lighting, with the local branch of the RNLI recently using the illuminated bridge as a backdrop for press photography.” – Arthur Davies, Harbour Master
For further information on the products and services used in this bridge lighting installation, or to discuss a similar architectural lighting scheme, please get in touch today.
Contact us on +44 (0)1554 740500 or click on Discuss a Project and let us know your requirements.
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