The project vision sought to stimulate the regeneration of the Abbey Meadows area of the city and to connect the proposed Leicester Science Park and the adjacent National Space Centre, with the residential development to be carried out at Wolsey Island on the opposite bank of the River Soar.  The competition was promoted by Leicester Regeneration Company and Leicester City Council.

The winning team fought off strong competition from Allies and Morrison with Price and Myers; Knight Architects with Gifford and Partners; Moxon Architects with Arup; McDowell + Benedetti with Arup and Ramboll Whitbybird.

Jim Eyre, Wilkinson Eyre and RIBA Adviser for the competition commented "The winning design displays both imagination and economy of needs, using only the necessary materials combined in an intelligent, elegant and purposeful way. An eloquent appreciation of the setting and the relationship to the wider context reinforced a feeling that these talented architects could become a force to be reckoned with in bridge design."

James Sinclair of Leicester Regeneration said "The whole process of the design competition has been really worthwhile and has allowed us to select a winner from a shortlist of exceptional proposals. The successful design spans the river with a lightness of touch and it has a gently arching deck, counterbalanced by sweeping structural cables which dip below the deck level to give a symmetrical and orderly profile and uninterrupted views of the river".

Yves Pagès of Explorations Architecture stated "Explorations Architecture and Buro Happold have worked together to produce a design that is simple, elegant and well detailed. The structure is honest, making best use of each of its components and delivers a lightweight solution that delicately integrates with the river banks. This innovative white concrete self anchored suspension bridge glides over the river Soar providing a motif for the Abbey Meadows regeneration.'

The design team will now work closely with the client to refine the design and deliver the project