Bridge project wins prestigious accolade
An innovative bridge reconstruction in Frampton Cotterell has picked up A Prime Minister's Better Building Award in the category of Civil Engineering Project of the Year (up to £10m).
Mark King, Head of StreetCare and Transport, said: “We are delighted that the road bridge over the River Frome has won this prestigious award. We commissioned the advanced composite bridge to replace the old one on Church Road, Frampton Cotterell which had come to the end of its working life. The new bridge is a real innovation as it is one of the first in the UK to be made from layers of glass and carbon fibres bound together with a tough resin in a process more commonly seen in advanced passenger aircraft manufacturing.”
The materials used are resistant to frost, extreme temperatures and de-icing salts that can cause problems in steel and concrete bridges, and require no painting or waterproofing. It is estimated that this could reduce the bridge’s maintenance costs by up to 35 per cent over its 120-year lifetime.
They are also much lighter than conventional materials, meaning that the bridge can be installed in roughly half the time of a conventional structure, reducing disruption for local residents and businesses. This resulted in Church Road being closed for a far shorter time than if the bridge was constructed using conventional methods. These were all factors which helped the bridge win the award.
Council Leader Matthew Riddle added: “It’s great to see innovation in South Gloucestershire recognised at a national level. The hi-tech bridge was assembled here at the National Composites Centre in Emersons Green before being transported in one piece to Frampton Cotterell for installation. This was a feat of engineering in itself and I would like to thank officers for all their hard work on this award-winning project."
The winners were announced at the British Construction Industry Awards held in London last week. A full list of winners is available online at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/camdens-five-pancras-square-wins-prime-ministers-better-public-building-award-2015 and https://bcia.nce.co.uk/2015-winners
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Notes to Editors
We worked with international design and engineering firm Atkins, specialist bridge designer and manufacturer CTS Bridges, and leading projects firm, Sinclair Knight Merz, to develop the new bridge which was pre-built in a factory before assembly. Time lapse video here http://www.southglos.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/roads-highways-and-pavements/highwaystructures/bridge-replacement/
For media enquiries contact:
Strategic Communications
South Gloucestershire Council
Tel: 01454 863200