The University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus development has transformed a 58-acre brownfield site along the River Nene into a vibrant cultural and social attraction, drawing in students and visitors from across the county and further afield.
Developed by Derbyshire-based main contractor, Bowmer & Kirkland, Waterside has been dubbed ‘the future of the University of Northampton’.
It is a purpose-built campus designed to adapt to 21st century teaching, and includes a four storey Creative Hub, a lovingly restored Grade II Engine Shed and superb sports and leisure facilities.
LTP Integration was commissioned by Briton Fabricators Ltd, following previous successful collaborations on bridge lighting projects across the UK.
Our team was tasked with the design, supply and installation of the handrail, handrail lighting, plus the associated electrical installation for the new pedestrian bridge linking Becket’s Park to the University of Northampton’s innovative £330m Waterside Campus.
The design brief required an LED lighting solution that was sympathetic to bats and flying insects that are prevalent in the surroundings, while providing the light levels necessary for a footbridge of this nature.
A further design aspect was the requirement for proximity sensing across the entire bridge, plus the system also had to automatically dim at midnight to limit light pollution.
To successfully limit any impact to local wildlife, particularly bats and insects, LTP Integration ensured that a specific colour temperature was used, that would satisfy this criterion and significantly reduce the occurrence of swarming insects.
The design also called for full proximity detection control for the bridge lighting. This facility was to automatically trigger after dark at a set time, to limit the impact that light has on the local wildlife while also serving to conserve energy.
To develop the solution, LTP Integration worked closely with partners i-Vision (UK) Ltd. The control system comprised of an e:cue Butler XT2 linked to a series of DMX controlled LED drivers and eight dual passive infrared detectors. These sensors were located at either end of the bridge and interspersed evenly along its length, providing full proximity detection coverage to the bridge approaches as well as to the bridge deck.
For the luminaires, i-Vision’s Pictor 4 LED 4w handrail lights were specified. These were set at a 1500mm pitch to satisfy the lighting levels required by the client.
LTP Integration commissioned The Metal Works Ltd to manufacture and install the precision curved stainless steel handrail that extends along the length of the s-shaped bridge. Part of the brief was for the introduction of laser cut slots in the underside of the handrail to accommodate the handrail lighting. They were also tasked with designing and manufacturing anti-vandal security housings for the eight proximity detectors.
Finally, LTP Integration appointed Llanelli-based electrical contractors RT Electrics to design and install the electrical installation for the project. This comprised of extensive tray and conduit work across the entire bridge, as well as installing the power infrastructure, testing and certification.
Outcome
LTP Integration worked closely with several other parties to deliver a stunning lighting scheme for this new pedestrian footbridge.
The completed installation is both energy-efficient and environmentally conscious, matching the core aims and ethos of the University of Northampton’s impressive Waterside Campus.
“Once again, the LTP Integration team came up trumps and delivered a stunning result.” – Dean Morcom, Commercial Director (Briton Fabricators Ltd)
For further information on the products and services used on the Nene Bridge in Northampton, 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.
+44 (0) 1554 740 500 
