Earlier this year Berkeley Homes received more than 100 suggestions when the housebuilder invited communities on opposite sides of the river in Bucks and Berks to come up with a name for the new footbridge linking the two.

Now the names have been whittled down to three: Taplow Bridge, Boulters Footbridge and Knights Bridge named after award-winning Wycombe-based specialist bridge architect Martin Knight .

The bridge creates a shortcut between Berkeley’s new Taplow Riverside development on the Buckinghamshire bank of the Thames and the Berkshire bank leading to the train station and town centre in Maidenhead.

The crossing was formally opened in November last year by Prime Minister Theresa May, MP for Maidenhead. This year it was voted a joint winner of the Chilterns Buildings Design Awards.

The distinctive shallow steel arch of the new bridge provides the modern counterpart to Brunel’s famous Maidenhead railway bridge renowned for having the widest and flattest arches in the world.

Dr James Moir, chair of judges for the 2019 Chilterns Buildings awards described the shallow steel arch of the new bridge as an elegant and delightful new addition to the Thames riverside.

“Drawing inspiration from Brunel’s nearby Maidenhead Railway Bridge, this 35m single-span bridge has sweeping twin arcs of triangular section steel cradling the deck.

“Linking the regenerated and previously unconnected Taplow Paper Mill quarter to Ray Mill Island, the bridge unlocks a new tranquil walking route to the Thames Path.

This light-touch intervention appears to have been effortlessly dropped into this location, opening up great views of the riverscape and creating a new and fully accessible recreational amenity.”

Martin Knight’s practice in Castle Street, High Wycombe has won a clutch of international accolades since the company was formed in 2006.

The Merchant Square Bridge in London is one of theirs, Two others, Kruunusillat Bridges in Helsinki and Kienlesberegbrucke at Ulm in Germany, were each the result of a design competition won by the Wycombe-based designer.

The Taplow footbridge was a collaboration between Martin Knight and Danish structural engineers COWI.

The structure is both beautiful and a huge asset to the communities on both sides of the river.

Benjamin Ivey, Berkeley’s regional sales and marketing director says the name of the new bridge will be revealed in September after the public have had the ultimate say and chosen the winner from the shortlist of three. Entries must be submitted to taplowriverside@berkeleygroup.co.ukbefore August 30.

“We’re very proud that appreciation for Taplow’s iconic new bridge has been reflected in the number of name submissions we received,” said the housebuilder.

“The much-needed bridge benefits the wider community and provides a great connection to neighbouring Maidenhead. It will allow local residents [in Taplow] to walk into Maidenhead for the first time.

“Our new development includes large areas of open space with meadows, picnic areas, a country park with ponds, nature trails and riverside walks dotted with viewing platforms. There’s also the new Roux at Skindles Restaurant.”

Current starting price is £530,000 for a one-bedroom apartment with river views and private garden. Using Help to Buy purchasers can secure a plot with a five per cent deposit of £28,000.

Four bedroom homes with river frontage start at £940.000.

Taplow Riverside Information Centre in Mill Lane, Taplow is open everyday from 10-5 except Thursdays when the centre is open until 7pm.

For more information, call the sales team on 01753 784417.