Winvic to build two footbridges over A1301 for Wellcome Genome Campus expansion

Wellcome Genome Campus has appointed Winvic Construction Ltd to design and build two pedestrian bridges across the A1301, with spans of 50 metres and 55 metres, as part of the first phase of the campus's expansion at Hinxton.

Winvic said construction began earlier this year. The bridges are due to be installed in early 2027 and to open for use in 2028, the contractor said.

The works also take in about 175 metres of accessible ramped walkways, staircases, lift shafts, footpaths, landscaping, drainage and lighting, according to Winvic. The structures have been designed to protect mature trees on the site.

Robert Evans, Chief Executive of Wellcome Genome Campus, said: "These bridges are integral to and very visible symbols of, our expansion."

The contract

Winvic is acting as both designer and principal contractor, overseeing detailed design, construction and installation of the bridges and the associated infrastructure.

The bridges were designed by architect WilkinsonEyre with structural and civil engineers Evolve Consulting Engineers and landscape architect Churchman Thornhill Finch, Winvic said. WilkinsonEyre says the bridges connect both sides of the campus across the A1301 and are framed by serpentine walls on either side of the main road.

Rob Cook, Managing Director for Civils and Infrastructure at Winvic, said: "We are proud to be delivering these iconic works at the Wellcome Genome Campus."

The Northampton-based contractor, which operates from a single head office on Moulton Park, describes itself as a privately owned business that has been operating for 25 years. Its civils work covers highways, bridges, structures, rail freight terminals and enabling works for public and private sector clients.

The planning history

The bridges sit within a wider consented programme. Greater Cambridge Shared Planning records show outline permission S/4329/18/OL for the campus expansion was approved on 18 December 2020, allowing up to 1,500 homes for campus workers and up to 150,000 square metres of flexible employment floorspace.

The campus says later refinements to the plans included the two new bridges over the A1301. A full application for the construction of two pedestrian and cycle bridges and all associated structures, reference 23/00482/FUL, was approved on 9 August 2023, according to the planning authority.

Separate improvement works along the A1301, including new and upgraded junctions (22/03615/REM), were approved on 20 February 2023.

The wider first phase

The campus says the first phase of the expansion, backed by the Wellcome Trust, involves highway works and other infrastructure, and that supporting infrastructure for the expansion includes roads, bridges, heat, power and other utility networks.

Winvic said the first phase, due to complete in 2028, also includes new laboratories and office space, incubator and accelerator facilities, homes, a Nuffield Health and Fitness Club and an Energy Farm.

Contractor SDC was appointed in June 2026 to build a 147,000 sq ft lab-enabled workspace in the same phase, with groundworks nearing completion, SDC said. In September 2025 the campus said its first two laboratory buildings had received planning approval from South Cambridgeshire District Council as part of Expansion Phase 1.

The campus says its first new building, The Sequence, will be completed in Q4 2027.

The scale of the expansion

Winvic said the campus will triple in size over the next decade, growing from 125 acres to 440 acres with space for around 250 businesses. WilkinsonEyre's masterplan adds 150,000 sqm of research buildings and 1,500 homes to the existing 75,000 sqm campus.

The sources differ on the eventual workforce. Winvic put the figure at more than 9,000 people, while the campus's own expansion page says its workforce will grow from around 3,000 to between 7,000 and 9,000.

Damian Bates, Head of Construction and Project Delivery at Wellcome Genome Campus, said in SDC's announcement that the campus would undergo an expansion tripling in size over the next decade.

The bridges are scheduled for installation in early 2027.