The bridge will connect Wolsey Island to the National Space Centre and Leicester Science Park. The budget is estimated to be US$2.4 million, inclusive of fees.

Leicester City Council and Leicester Regeneration Company (LRC) are running the competition with the Royal Institute of British Architects.

The deadline for the receipt of expressions of interest is 2pm on 4 December. A shortlist of up to six teams will then be selected to take part in the design phase and the winner will be announced in March 2009.

The judging panel will be made up of representatives from the city council, LRC and the National Space Centre and will be chaired and advised by Jim Eyre of Wilkinson Eyre.