MHB Consultants was employed by APB Group, on behalf of Lancashire County Council, to carry out the associated civils works for the replacement of a 1955 steel footbridge bridge in Carnforth, Lancashire with a new single-span, Warren truss aluminium bridge.

MHB Consultants undertook abutment stability checks, the design of new bearing brackets and the design of temporary works required during the installation.

The work was part of Lancashire County Council’s ongoing programme of investment and maintenance of bridges and structures with the existing bridge requiring replacement as structural surveys showed that the existing bridge was deteriorating.

The existing bridge carried a footpath over the Lancaster Canal in Carnforth providing safe, continuous access for pedestrians as the adjacent road bridge is too narrow for a footpath.

Throughout the design process, MHB Consultants assisted APB Group and the aluminium bridge designer in Germany, Gluck, to ensure a smooth process of approvals and successful implementation of the project on site. This work included attending site visits in England and Germany, assisting in development of design documentation and undertaking any design tasks required by APB Group.

This work also allowed MHB Consultants to develop experience in the construction of aluminium, which is currently an unusual material for bridges in the UK.

The successful removal and installation of the bridges was achieved on Sunday 23 February 2020 with the adjacent road closed for one weekend only.

Photos courtesy of APB Group.