RED CCTV provided security to an award winning bridge restoration project.
Our engineers created an environmentally friendly CCTV System at the Grade II Listed Winnington Swing Bridge in Northwich.
The bridge, built in 1908/09 is one the UK’s first electronically operated swing bridge, and required critical upgrade work.
The £350,000 project, run by Cheshire West and Chester Council, the Canal and River Trust, Kier, Arcadis, CGC and Davis Industrial, was vital to prevent further deterioration.
And, the work was rewarded with the best ‘Small Project’ award at the Institute of Civil Engineers North West Civil Engineering Awards 2021.
Red CCTV Managing Director Rob Kennedy, said: “We were delighted to have provided security support to this project.
Infrastucture
“The bridge is extremely important historically and for the local infrastructure as, without the bridge, it would force motorists on a 15 mile detour, increasing traffic and congestion.
“We deployed the Halo Eco Smart CCTV equipped 4K cameras and our leading software analytics to secure the site compound and area around the bridge.
“The project was a success and we congratulate all of those involved.”
The Winnington Swing Bridge was built 111-years ago to replace the original crossing over the River Weaver which was built in 1901.
It carries the A543 between Winnington and Barnton over the river, but was showing signs of age, and needed needed vital repair and restrengthening works to the steel structure.
Much of the work was carried out to the underside of the bridge, deemed historically important because of the way it allowed greater capacity of road loads whilst increasing the navigable waterway available.
It played a significant role in the grown of trade and business in the area’s chemical industry and the growth of pottery in the Winnington and Northwich areas.
Reducing Carbon
Emma Antrobus, Director of the Institute of Civil Engineers North West said: “This was a focus on repair not replacement and a real blueprint for reducing carbon in infrastructure. It was truly hands-on engineering in action.”
Work began on the project last June and included the removal and replacement of a rusting beam and damaged deck plate.
Project leaders planned the work alongside separate works by Cadent, to upgrade two main gas pipes which run across the road.
The two projects ran concurrently to minimise disruption to motorists and residents and was deemed a huge success by the ICE judges.
Richard Spencer, project team manager for the Canal and River Trust, said: “We are delighted to be part of the winning multi-agency team and receive recognition for this challenging and successful repair project.
“Winnington Swing Bridge is a key heritage structure on the Weaver Navigation, carrying the main A533 trunk road, so it was important to secure it for the future.
“The success of the project was very much down to the close cooperation between all of the partner organisations.”
Heritage Asset
Zed Khan, Rail Director of CGC Rail said: “This is a stunning triumph in a keenly contested category in these Awards. We are naturally delighted and it is a huge pat on the back for everyone who was involved.”
Richard Spencer, Canal and River Trust project team manager, said: “Winnington Swing Bridge is an important heritage asset for the town.
“The listed structure is more than 100 years old and obviously needs a little TLC from time to time to keep it in good working order.
Cadent were able to replace two gas pipes with new, tougher, plastic pipes without any disruption to the supply as part of a 30-year, UK-wide programme to replace older assets.
Craig Horrocks, who heads Cadent’s gas mains replacement in the North West, said: “Our gas mains run underground, mostly under roads, so whenever we need to work on them it’s very hard not to have an impact on traffic.
“It’s great that we’ve been able to work very closely with the Canal and River Trust and Cheshire West and Chester Council to schedule these different jobs to take place at the same time, using the same road closure.”
The Winnington Bridge project beat five other finalist projects from across Lancashire, Merseyside and Cumbria.
For more information about the River Weaver Navigation, check out the Canal and River Trust website www.canalrivertrust.org.uk
* To learn more about Red CCTV’s remote carbon neutral site security solutions contact the team at info@redcctv.co.uk
* To discuss marketing or PR opportunities contact Onside PR via this link
Images courtesy of Canal and River Trust