The setting of Ballingdon Bridge as it crosses the river Stour is a wonderful combination of a water meadow that surrounds Sudbury and the listed buildings that form the village of Ballingdon and town of Sudbury. This is Constable country and a bridge of high quality was essential, as an act of cultural continuity. Completed in 2003, the new trunk road bridge is the first to be built in Britain with an architect leading the design team. The previous bridge, built in 1911 could not sustain 42 tonne articulated lorries. The quality of Ballingdon Bridge has been recognized in the national and international design awards received by the project.

Aluminium plays a vital role in delivering Ballingdon Bridge. Durability was essential as the bridge has a 120 year design life. The balustrade was designed to be visually open so that the views of the landscape are as uninterrupted as possible. It is capable of arresting a 42 tonne truck yet appears to be an elegant pedestrian handrail, its strength being achieved by a combination of purpose made aluminium extrusions and stainless steel castings. The illuminated bollards designed for the project to avoid the need to use lampposts on the bridge are formed in water jet cut anodized aluminium. People enjoying the river and the urban spaces of Ballingdon and Sudbury are the priority within the design of this road bridge.

Michael Stacey was the partner in charge of Ballingdon Bridge at Brookes Stacey Randall Architects.