Winnington Swing Bridge Refurbishment

Client: Cheshire West & Chester Council, Canal & River Trust
Value: £1,200,000

Overview

This project won the prestigious ICE Small Project Award 2021. The ICE made the comments below.

“A critical upgrade on a main trunk road route that otherwise would have had a massive impact on society connectivity, requiring a 15-mile detour. The team dealt with unknown asset condition but focused on repair not replacement – a blueprint for reducing carbon in infrastructure. This was real “hands-on”
engineering in action.”

Winnington Swing Bridge in Northwich, Cheshire is one of the first electrically-operated swing bridges ever seen in the UK. It is a 111-year old Grade 2 listed steel structure. It was constructed in 1908/1909 and replaced an earlier one built in 1901.

Scope

Complete refurbishment of structure to remove a weight restriction (from 7.5T weight limit to 45T weight limit)

  • Refurbish Pintle / Swing Mechanics Including Pintle, Kentledge,
    Kentledge Basket, Operating Wheels Etc.
  • Renew Bird Netting
  • Investigate And Tighten Tail Deck Plate While Bridge Swung Open.
  • Surfacing Repairs To Tail Deck Plate
  • Temporary Propping To Tail.
  • Remove Existing Nose (Last Transom) And Manufacture A Replacement
    Transom And Reinstate
  • Place Ballast On The Bridge And Swing Back Into Road Open Position
    To Install Temporary Bridging To Allow Road To Be Opened To Traffic.
  • Undertake Kentledge Repacking And Securing.
  • Undertake Repainting / Repairs To The Kentledge Box Including
  • Mechanical Preparation And Repainting.
  • Remove Temporary Roadway / Install Ballast To The Deck
  • Walkway Strengthening Works Including New Like For Like
  • Handrailing System
  • Truss Box Strengthening
  • Blasting & Painting Sections Of Bridge (Localised Encapsulation)

Gallery