The Clifton Suspension Bridge is the most famous reminder of Brunel’s genius. It serves both as a memorial to Brunel and as a symbol of Bristol across the world. But, given modern technology and materials, could it be bettered today?

A competition to find out is being launched in Bristol on Thursday, January 12. The closing date for entries is April 9, 2006 (Brunel’s birthday) and the winners will be announced at a gala dinner on July 6, 2006. The competition is being jointly run by the University of Bristol and the magazine New Civil Engineer.

The details of how to enter the competition can be found at http://research.cen.bris.ac.uk/cc06.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel and the competition is one of the many bicentenary events that will be taking place across the region under the banner 'Brunel 200'.

The prize for the overall winner of the bridge competition will be £5,000 plus a specially commissioned commemorative plaque. For both the student winner and the winning school there will be a prize of £1,000 and a plaque. There are also second and third prizes in each category.

The competition brief is derived from the original competition devised in 1831, which Brunel won. It has been modified to challenge modern engineers to draw up innovative, practical and economic designs utilising the technologies, materials and practices available today.

Professor Colin Taylor, from the Department of Civil Engineering at Bristol University, has been instrumental in re-running the 1831 contest. He said: “The aim will be to challenge budding Brunels to solve the problems that faced Brunel and his contemporaries in the 19th century. What better way to celebrate the achievements of an engineer of the stature of Brunel than by taking inspiration from one of his greatest challenges? Perhaps someone can imagine an alternative crossing to a bridge?”

Andrew Kelly, Director of Brunel 200, said: “This is a brilliant way of learning about the achievements of the past and the work of the great man as well as helping to create the Brunels of the future.”

The 2006 design competition, which is endorsed by the Royal Academy of Engineering, will be open to professional engineers and designers, students and schoolchildren. Only conceptual designs are sought in the form of an illustrated poster. It will not be necessary to submit a fully developed design. A key requirement of the professionals’ and students’ entries is that they must communicate their design-thinking to young people.

The entries will form the basis of lasting educational resources, for all age ranges, which the University of Bristol and At-Bristol intend to develop following the competition.

The judges will include Adam Hart-Davis – renowned television presenter, engineering enthusiast and expert on the work of Brunel - as well as Michel Virolgeux – designer of the award-winning and awe-inspiring Millau viaduct in France.