Our volunteers have finished the work on the foundation abutments of the second Birtley lifting bridge. These are now ready for the bridge superstructure and an order has now been placed with fabrication work underway.
A temporary deck was installed on the first bridge which opened up a new circular walk along the towpath and the Downs Link. Given the popularity of this walk, a temporary scaffold bridge will be installed to maintain access while the first bridge is fitted out as a lifting bridge.
Further work is taking place to grade and bring up the levels of the bridleway on both sides of the second bridge.
Installation work is planned for August and an opening ceremony later in the year.
The £150,000 order for the design, building and installation of the bridges’ superstructures and hydraulic mechanisms is the biggest capital outlay for the Trust for over two years. The successful tenderer is Beaver Bridges Ltd of Shewsbury.
The bridge location is accessible for pedestrians from the main A281 Guildford–Horsham Road just south of Singh Concrete, whose concrete was pumped directly to the work site.
Circular walk map and information