Cycle bridge installed for distribution centre

ECS Engineering Services has completed the turnkey delivery and installation of a new cycle/footbridge for a supermarket distribution centre in Erith, south London.

Working on behalf of Caunton Engineering, the project’s main steelwork contractor, ECS said it took the initial concept through design, fabrication and final delivery to produce a turnkey solution.

ECS Manufacturing Operations Director John Cotterill said: “Overall the bridge measured eight metres long by four metres wide and consisted of the main deck and a pair of hand railings that were bolted on later in the project.

“The main deck design had a slight camber and an anti-slip surface to make sure it could be used throughout the year.”

The completed bridge weighs 26t and was transported to site by a heavy haulage truck. The size of the bridge meant that it had to be transported under escort and the route had to be approved by the police and Highways England.

ECS Project Manager Martin Waldron said: “This project required some considerable logistics to get the finished bridge installed on time and required the use of a large 500t crane.”

The bridge spans a pond that forms the centre of a wildlife area that has been created as part of the new development and allows cyclists and pedestrians to cross the water on their way around the site.