Replacing a Failed Timber Footbridge on North Street, Whitwick

This footbridge replacement on North Street, Whitwick, saw Built by Bison supply Leicestershire County Council with a 7.0m x 1.8m pre-assembled pedestrian bridge in place of a failed timber footbridge. The bridge forms part of the highway pavement. It has a galvanised steel frame and recycled plastic deck and parapet, and was delivered by HIAB lorry ready to lift onto prepared foundations.

A new footbridge for a busy roadside footway

Built by Bison bridges are used on public footpaths across the UK. This project, for Leicestershire County Council, put one of our bridges somewhere a little different: right beside the road, as part of the highway pavement on North Street in Whitwick.

The existing timber footbridge had failed and needed replacing. We supplied a 7m pre-assembled Built by Bison bridge that arrived ready to install, keeping time on site and disruption to the road to a minimum.

Project at a glance

Client	Leicestershire County Council
Location	North Street, Whitwick, Leicestershire
Setting	Roadside, forming part of the highway pavement
Bridge type	Pre-assembled pedestrian Built by Bison bridge
Size	7.0m span x 1.8m wide
Frame	Single-span universal steel beams, hot-dip galvanised
Deck and parapet	Brown recycled plastic, parapet on one side
Delivery	Fully assembled, unloaded by HIAB

The challenge: a failed timber bridge on a public footway

The old timber footbridge on North Street had reached the end of its life. Years of weather and daily foot traffic had worn the structure down, and it was no longer fit to carry a public route.

Because the bridge sits right beside the carriageway, the replacement had to work as part of the highway pavement. The council needed a bridge that was strong and long-lasting, and could be installed quickly with as little disruption to pedestrians and traffic as possible.

The solution: a pre-assembled steel and recycled plastic footbridge

We supplied a 7.0m x 1.8m pedestrian Built by Bison bridge, built in full at our works before delivery. It combines a galvanised steel frame with a recycled plastic deck and parapet, so it is strong, low-maintenance and will not rot.

The main components were:

• Steel frame: a single-span universal steel beam set with steel transoms, welded post brackets and bolt-down beam plates, all hot-dip galvanised to protect against corrosion.
• Deck: Re-Life40 recycled plastic deck boards with a grooved surface for grip in wet weather, laid on recycled plastic beam runners.
• Parapet: a parapet on the open side, with recycled plastic posts, rails, handrail and spindles.
• Fixings: galvanised coach bolts, nuts and washers, with structural timber screws.

All recycled plastic components are finished in brown, which gives the bridge a natural look that suits the trees and hedges around it.

Delivery and installation: from lorry to roadside in one lift

The bridge travelled to North Street fully assembled on a HIAB lorry. On arrival, the lorry’s crane lifted it straight off the vehicle in a single piece.

With foundations prepared in advance, a pre-assembled Built by Bison bridge can be lifted directly into its final position. There is no need to build the bridge on site, which cuts installation time and keeps the footway and road open for longer.

The result: a long-lasting, low-maintenance footway bridge

North Street now has a robust footbridge that carries the public footway safely beside the road. It is built to last far longer than the timber structure it replaced, with very little upkeep.

For Leicestershire County Council, the benefits include:

• Durability: galvanised steel and recycled plastic resist rot, corrosion and splintering.
• Low maintenance: no staining, treating or replacing rotten boards.
• Safer footing: the grooved deck surface gives grip in wet conditions.
• Fast installation: a pre-assembled bridge means less time on site and less disruption.
• Sustainable materials: the deck and parapet are made from recycled plastic.

Frequently asked questions

Planning a footbridge replacement?

Whether you need to replace a failing timber bridge, cross a watercourse or carry a public footpath or roadside footway, we can supply a Built by Bison bridge to suit your site. Get in touch to talk through your project.