Lake District bridge has no glue, bolts or fixings and is made out of 22,000 sheets of paper
It has no glue, bolts or any other fixings to hold it up and is made entirely of 22,000 sheets of paper.
But this unique red bridge, found over the top of a valley in the Lake District, has become a hit with dog walkers and cyclists eager to test whether it will hold their weight.
PaperBridge is a temporary piece of artwork located over a beck at the top of the Grisedale Valley, under the shadow of Helvellyn, Cumbria.
The striking construction relies on authentic architectural principles as used in the dry-stone walls and the original packhorse bridges that are found in the Lake District to hold it up.
Environmental artist Steve Messam, from Teesdale, spent three years developing the fully-functioning bridge, which was commissioned by Lakes Culture as part of its Lakes Ignite 2015 programme. He said the structure was sturdy enough to support the weight of walkers because the 4.5 tonnes of paper made it twice as strong as oak.
PaperBridge, which opened to the public on Friday, is made of 22,000 sheets of paper in total and is five metres long. It is seen as a bold contemporary statement in a conserved environment and bound with layers of narrative about landscape.
Mountaineer Alan Hinkes OBE, from North Yorkshire, was one of the first visitors to cross the newly-erected bridge.
He said: “I was slightly perturbed at crossing the bridge - after all it is made out of paper, and I ventured across the first time with slight trepidation.
“There was a bit of a wobble at the top and you are nearly 10ft off the rocky stream bed, so it is no place for vertigo sufferers.
“Even after heavy rain the bridge showed no signs of damage and looked and felt secure and robust.”
He added: “At first glance the bridge looks dramatic as you approach it from Patterdale or Glenridding.
'The red really stands out in the wild landscape and draws you to explore it and touch it or even walk over it. The bridge looks very impressive and fits in really well with the terrain, it does not appear out of place or feel like an eyesore in the surrounding area.
“The whole thing seems to explode into colourful life as the sun reflects off the bright red hue of the paper.
“Logically it should work as the construction is based on the principles of the classic Arch Bridges, which have been around since Roman times - over 2,000 years. So clearly the concept has stood the test of time - albeit usually made of stone.
“This is an ephemeral, unique artwork in the Lake District Fells. It will soon be demolished, so it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see something different.'
Mr Messam says the intensity of colour will contrast with the landscape, making a bold statement of form and design.
The paper is being specially formulated by Burneside papermaker James Cropper.
The red color will be fast in the paper so that if it rains none of it will run into the watercourse and at the end of the exhibition, it will be dismantled and returned to James Cropper for pulping and recycling.
Mr Messam is looking for a small number of volunteers to help on the PaperBridge project, from guiding the public and collecting audience data, to dismantling the bridge itself.
The remote location is popular with groups of walkers and can be accessed by two separate paths which involve a five mile round walk.
The installation is open until May 18.
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