Context

The historic Copley Bridge near Sowerby Bridge, Halifax was destroyed by floods in 2015, and replaced with the Wilson Bridge, so-named by local primary school children and residents.

Work undertaken

CTS was appointed to design, manufacture, deliver and install a new 40 x 3m bridge above flood levels to avoid the reliance of any supports in the river.

CTS Director Sally Preston explains: “Along with meeting Calderdale Council’s project requirements the main design challenge was the difficult access into the site which prohibited delivery of a fully assembled bridge and restricted the crane size to carry out the final lift. This influenced the design, resulting in the incorporation of removable elements such as the deck so that the weight could be minimised during the lift and then the bridge completed insitu”.

The structure was brought into site in 3 sections and welded together on the riverbank in the weeks before the main lift.

To work within the capacity of the 350-tonne crane CTS joiners only fitted the hardwood deck boards after the bridge had been dropped into its final position.

Outcome

The installation over the weekend was organised with Calderdale Council and site contractor BAM Nuttall to minimise disruption to residents - many of whom turned out to watch their new “Wilson Bridge” reunite the two river banks once again.