The Peace Bridge, a design by Wilkinson Eyre, one of the UK’s leading architecture practices, has won three accolades in one week. Located in Northern Ireland, the Peace Bridge is a 235m-long cycle/footbridge which spans the River Foyle in Derry-Londonderry and was completed in 2011.

Coming first in the judge’s choice category at the Northern Ireland Sustainable Planning Awards at Stormont on 12 March, the structure was also the recipient of the Civic Trust Northern Ireland Award and their National Panel’s Special Award at a ceremony in Cardiff on 9 March. Linking former army barracks with the historic city centre of Derry across the water, the €16m (£14m) bridge was funded by the EU and developed by Ilex, an urban regeneration company.

Ciaran Doherty, the programme manager for Ilex, said of the accolades: “These prestigious awards, and others, prove that it isn’t just a hit with locals, it is gaining broad recognition for its architectural significance and contribution to our built environment." The Northern Ireland Sustainable Planning Awards is a joint initiative between RSPB Northern Ireland and The Royal Town Planning Institute and seeks to reward and celebrate positive planning and innovative ideas.