Merchant Square Footbridge, Moveable footbridge in Paddington, England
The Merchant Square Footbridge is a modern pedestrian crossing made of steel that spans the Grand Union Canal in Paddington with five separate segments. These sections can be hydraulically raised to allow boats to pass underneath.
The footbridge was built in 2014 by Knight Architects and engineers AKT II as part of the Merchant Square waterfront development project. It was designed to serve the newly developed area while respecting the canal's function as a working waterway.
The bridge serves as a daily meeting point for pedestrians crossing between neighborhoods, and its opening sequence has become a visible sign of the canal's active use by boat traffic. Locals often gather to watch the mechanism in action.
The crossing is about three meters wide with LED-lit handrails that make navigation clear in any light. When the sections open for boat passage, pedestrians simply use the temporary alternate route nearby.
The design was inspired by Japanese fan motifs, so the five segments rise at different angles when they open for boat passage. This asymmetrical movement turns each opening into a surprising geometric display.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
