Bridge opens up redevelopment for Gloucester

The new £10M High Orchard lift bridge, which forms an important route into the massive Gloucester Quays redevelopment scheme has recently opened. Completed by a joint venture involving English Partnerships, British Waterways and developer Peel Holdings, the single span bridge, with an electro-hydraulic movable deck, has created a spectacular landmark on Gloucester’s skyline.

The steel bridge deck was supplied and erected by Rowecord Engineering and measures 28m long x 16m wide. It weighs around 200t, with an additional concrete and steel 100t counterweight in the tail section of the bridge.

Davy Markham was contracted by civil engineering contractors Alun Griffiths to design and manufacture the mechanical, hydraulic and electrical elements of the bridge, notably the main pivot bearings, deck operating system and tail locking assemblies.

The bridge deck rotates 69 degrees around a horizontal axis, to allow entry to a 12.5m wide navigation channel.