Paddington’s Fan Bridge at Merchant Square

This stunning footbridge by Knight Architects arrived at Merchant Square Paddington in August 2014. It rises gracefully to allow boats to access the head of Paddington Basin. Commissioned through a competition by European Land and Property, the three-metre-wide cantilevered moving structure spans 20 metres across the head of the Basin, rising by means of hydraulic jacks - an action similar to that of a traditional Japanese hand fan. The deck of the Fan Bridge is made of five beams, which came to Paddington by barge. The beams each open in sequence, with the first rising to an angle of 80 degrees; the four rising to lower levels. The Fan Bridge rises for visitors on Wednesdays and Fridays just after noon, and on Saturdays at 2pm.