LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.- Plans for a spectacular £1.1m pedestrian bridge at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral have gone on display this week. The proposed glass bridge spanning St James' Gardens is named the Bridge of Hope, partly in reference to Hope Street at the north end of St James Cemetery and partly because of its spiritual significance.

Project leaders say the footbridge will create both a new pilgrimage route between the city's two cathedrals, and act as a fitting tribute to the ministries of the late David Sheppard and Derek Worlock.

The bridge will have a 75m span and take pedestrians to the cathedral's north porch across a deep chasm that was once a quarry and later became a cemetery. The designers say its lightweight, soaring, bird-like form will act as a foil to the massive stone bulk of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott's famous building.

The iconic landmark opposite the Anglican Cathedral was chosen after an international competition between architects. London-based firm Hakes Associates, in association with engineers Buro Happold, fought off strong competition with their striking design.

Julian Hakes, director of Hakes Associates, said: "You have a captive audience along a bridge, especially a footbridge where pedestrians will be looking at every single detail. The bridge does not merely connect one side to another - it creates an urban event." The Diocese of Liverpool will now begin seeking sponsors and raising funds.

Canon Anthony Hawley said: "The Chapter of Liverpool Cathedral have enthusiastically endorsed the idea of a bridge connecting the cathedral to Hope Street across St James Gardens. Part of the mission of the cathedral is to become increasingly involved with its immediate community, and this innovative project would add greatly to this, both symbolically and practically.

"At the same time, it will also link the cathedral more closely to two organisations with which it is already involved, the Friends of St James Gardens and the Hope Street Association. The Chapter hopes that this exciting project will soon move to the stage of exploring questions of finance, maintenance and security, to enable it to become a reality."

The winning design is a slender S-shape of steel tubing that snakes around a deck and balustrades constructed in transparent glass. The proposed alignment of the bridge is close to Scott's original - and unfulfilled - bridge design.

Dr Rob MacDonald, reader in architecture at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), is acting as project co-ordinator.

He said: "The very name of the thoroughfare connecting Liverpool's iconic 20th century cathedrals is inspirational and tantalising. It will create a new pilgrimage route in Liverpool from Gibberd's Catholic Cathedral in the north, with its spectacular ceremonial stairway, to Scott's Liverpool Anglican Cathedral which is currently separated from the street by the great chasm of St James' Garden."

Discussions will now take place with Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Vision, the Chapter, and the National Cathedrals Fabric Commission in London.

Architectural models and artist's impressions of the new bridge have gone on display in Liverpool Anglican Cathedral as part of National Environment Week and Park It, a series of events organised by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Greenspace to celebrate parks and open spaces.