http://www.beaverbridges.co.uk/

Beaver Bridges, The Warehouse, Cartmel Drive, Shrewsbury (2026)

20/10/2026

New Gaunless Active Travel Bridge Reconnects Visitors with Railway Heritage

A historic section of the Stockton and Darlington Railway has been brought back to life by Beaver Bridges following the installation of a new steel bridge as part of a 12-mile walking and cycling route in County Durham.

The trail follows the original railway line, which opened in 1825 and marked a major milestone in transport history with the introduction of the world’s first steam-powered passenger railway service.

The new Active Travel bridge manufactured at our Forge 44 facility, recreates the historic Gaunless Bridge, built between 1823 and 1824. The original structure was the first lenticular iron railway bridge and is regarded as a pioneering example of iron bridge construction for the modern railway.

Designed to reflect the original bridge’s “quality and ingenuity”, the new structure combines historical inspiration with modern engineering. Its contemporary design incorporates reinforced concrete pile foundations, weathering steel parapets and a deck made from recycled glass-reinforced plastic.

Architectural weathering steel railings line both sides of the sloping approaches to improve safety for walkers and cyclists, while a reinforced slope provide secure access between the bridge and the embankment.

The bridge will complete the S&DR Active Travel Route, developed to mark the railway’s bicentenary. Following the original line from Witton Park to Darlington with the aim to give visitors the opportunity to explore the railway’s historic landscape while encouraging Walking & Cycling.

Cllr Tim McGuinness, Durham County Council’s Cabinet said: “We are delighted to be restoring a key part of County Durham’s history with the installation of the new Gaunless Bridge. Creating a new Gaunless Bridge has been a large and challenging project and this marks an exciting milestone for everyone involved.

Once complete, people will be able to explore the original line and reconnect with our county’s incredible railway heritage.”
Another seamless full fabrication, delivery and installation conducted by Beaver Bridges the NCE Bridge Contractor of the Year

13/10/2026

Structural restoration. Community connectivity.

We were appointed to execute the full-scale renewal of the Dinckley Footbridge, a vital community link that had been closed due to critical structural safety concerns.

Restoring the pedestrian crossing at the Ribble Valley demanded a solution that combined environmental resilience with the aesthetic requirements of a popular public trail.

🔹 The Challenge

This project required a complex demolition of the existing suspension bridge and the installation of a new 45m Arched Warren Truss span in a highly sensitive landscape.

Beyond the environmental risks, we faced significant logistical hurdles. Extremely tight site access necessitated a massive haul route expansion to accommodate a colossal 750t crane. Our lifting operations were also met with variable wind speeds, requiring surgical precision and constant monitoring to capture the perfect weather windows.

🔹 The Solution

We delivered a full turnkey package, taking end-to-end responsibility for the design, manufacture, and safe disposal of the original structure.

To prevent future flood damage, we engineered the new bridge to be raised onto extended main piers, keeping it clear of high-velocity water. The structure was fabricated in modules to overcome transport constraints and seamlessly bolted together on-site.

🔹 The Results

We successfully reinstated this critical 45m pedestrian link, delivering a resilient and visually stunning gateway that preserves the idyllic charm of the Ribble Valley.

By bridging the gap between high-specification engineering and challenging rural logistics, we have provided a future-proofed asset that enhances connectivity for the community while standing tall against the elements.

Explore the full case study here: https://lnkd.in/efGn4zu3

"Those who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those doing it.’’

06/10/2026

Woodland installation. Seamless integration.

A challenging woodland site and an underslung cable design required a turnkey engineering solution that worked with the terrain, not against it.

We delivered the complete scope, from planning support, surveying, and ground investigations to detailed design, off-site fabrication, and full site installation.

To guarantee a seamless build in a tight location, the entire 44m span underwent off-site trial assembly and bespoke testing before arriving on site.

🔹 Location: Coldstream, Scotland
🔹 Client: FBR Seed
🔹 Project: Milne Graden Pedestrian Bridge

The finished underslung cable design sits naturally in the woodland. Its subtle colour palette blends into the surroundings while providing a durable, high-capacity pedestrian crossing.

Explore our custom pedestrian bridge capabilities: https://lnkd.in/emE972wm

29/09/2026

From a low-headroom bottleneck to a 14-metre arch landmark.

We were proud to join Erewash Borough Council, Stepnell, and the local community to officially open the new West Park Bridge in Long Eaton.

The new 19.5m active travel bridge was delivered as part of the £25m Town Deal programme. It creates a vital link between the town centre and West Park, replacing a 100-year-old structure that users had to duck under for decades.

Hailing the bridge as a “truly magnificent new landmark,” Erewash Council Leader James Dawson said:

“The old bridge had been built so low that, for almost 100 years, towpath users had needed to duck underneath it. The new crossing’s imaginative design not only makes the most of what is a challenging location, but also means no one will be banging their heads.”

Project Highlights:

The Scope

Complete design of the bridge and foundations, off-site manufacture, delivery, and full installation.

The Key Specs

19.5m span, 4m width, a 14m arch, and 49m of connecting ramps (22m West / 27m East).

The Heritage Design

In collaboration with GAGARIN STUDIO LIMITED and DeSimone Consulting Engineering , the steelwork reflects Long Eaton’s lace-making history, with custom floral balustrades echoing Harrington Mill lace and red handrails symbolising thread.

Lifting the span clear of the towpath has transformed the whole space, opening up the waterfront and making active travel far safer for the community.

To compliment the bridge, a new mural painted on the rear of the Sankey Upholstery building highlights the waterfront development. The artwork further interlinks the space with the town's historic lace industry, featuring a detailed depiction of an early 20th-century lace worker.

As our Business Director, Richard Hinckley , highlighted:

“The newly completed bridge looks fantastic in situ, with the entire public realm area now complete. It was very quickly put into use, with the cycling group, local Cubs and Scouts, and the general public all enjoying the new space with live music being played in the sunshine. This is the second bridge we have proudly delivered along this stretch of canal in Erewash for Stepnell, helping to fully connect the town’s residents and communities for many years to come.”

Read more about our approach to custom pedestrian and active travel bridges: https://lnkd.in/emE972wm

"Those who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those doing it.’’

22/09/2026

Site requirements shift. Access routes change. Programme deadlines move.

Not every project demands a permanent bridge, but every project does demand speed, safety, and total flexibility.

Whether you need to maintain public active travel or move heavy plant & equipment across a road, river or railway, our temporary bridging solutions are engineered for rapid deployment and built to perform. Available for both short- and long-term rental, we provide a complete solution from design and manufacture through to installation, inspection and removal.

No long-term capital tied up.

No unnecessary downtime.

Just heavy-duty, fully compliant temporary vehicle and pedestrian access tailored to your programme.

Backed by our full turnkey support, from initial design and engineering to delivery, installation, and removal, we handle the end-to-end process so you can focus on driving your site forward.

Whatever your site challenges, we’ve got the solution to cover it.

Talk to Beaver Bridges about your bridging requirements: https://lnkd.in/eEgaVMmy

“Those who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those doing it.”

18/08/2026

Shropshire structure. Seamlessly supplied.

We thrive on solving complex access challenges for communities and industries alike.

Our latest case study explores the MEJ Footbridge project in Oswestry, Shropshire, where we supplied and installed a new pedestrian bridge, built for the local community.

🔹 The Challenge

The project required installing a modern pedestrian footbridge over the A5 road in Oswestry.

Installing a bridge over the A5 in Oswestry (one of Shropshire's busiest and most heavily trafficked routes) required operating within tight, pre-agreed closures to meet strict National Highways standards. With this in mind, our teams delivered precision lifting and seamless traffic management to keep disruption to an absolute minimum.

🔹 The Solution

We deployed our turnkey supply and installation to keep everything on track.

Working to the client's design, our workshop teams fabricated the robust steel footbridge sections offsite to guarantee quality control and streamline the program.

Our specialist transport and lifting teams then carefully coordinated the logistics alongside National Highways stakeholders, using precision crane manoeuvres to drop the pre-engineered structure perfectly onto its foundations.

🔹 The Results

The new footbridge was installed flawlessly and safely, meeting all compliance standards and safety benchmarks.

This durable, low-maintenance structure now provides a secure and accessible crossing over one of Shropshire's busiest roads, future-proofing the local pedestrian network and standing as a testament to efficient, off-site manufacturing.

Read the full technical spec: https://lnkd.in/dp-7RaJR

13/08/2026

UK Bridge Contractor of the Year to attend Bridges Scotland 2026!

We’re pleased to confirm that Beaver Bridges will be attending Bridges Scotland 2026, bringing our full turnkey approach for new bridges, bridge rental, repair, and refurbishment to one of the sector’s key industry events.

Bridges Scotland brings together engineers, clients, contractors, and suppliers from across the industry to explore emerging technologies, industry developments and the challenges shaping the future of bridge infrastructure.

Richard Hinckley, Chris Tracey, Duncan Bampton, and the wider Beaver Bridges team will be there across both days, ready to share our expertise, discuss current and upcoming projects, and explore how we can support clients and partners across Scotland on their projects.

If you’re attending, we’d love you to come and see us on Stand D60 to connect and discuss how we can collaborate.

⭐️ Event: Bridges Scotland, Welcome On Board
🗓️ Date: 24-25 November 2026
📍 Location: SEC Glasgow

"Those who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those doing it."

11/08/2026

Two bridges, one goal.

Our Operations Director, Ed John MEng CEng MICE, recently shared how we tackled the complex Daresbury project by getting two bridges to work together to unlock a challenging development.

Through smart planning and careful sequencing, we kept the work moving smoothly and kept the project right on programme.

We also designed the temporary engineering so that it left absolutely no lasting impact on the local environment.

It’s a great example of how practical thinking and clever engineering can solve even the toughest site issues.

Read the full interview with Ed on our website: https://lnkd.in/eu5rBzC8

If you're planning a project with complex access, challenging site constraints or temporary bridging requirements, we'd love to discuss how we can help.

Get in touch with our team: https://lnkd.in/exxpwCv6

07/08/2026

Building over a live canal with zero local disruption?

Here’s how we did it.

For the new Britannia Mills Active Travel Bridge in Long Eaton, our in-house teams handled every stage of the project, from concept to completion:

🔹 Phase 1: Design

Constructability was prioritised from the start. Our in-house engineers worked directly alongside our site teams to map out access limits, lifting constraints, and structural interfaces.

This early collaboration meant we eliminated costly mid-project revisions before any steel was ever cut.

🔹 Phase 2: Manufacturing

Steelwork was fully fabricated and inspected inside a controlled workshop environment.

Offsite assembly allowed us to trial-fit components early while completely eliminating weather delays.

Most importantly, it protected the delicate local canal ecology and kept noise to a minimum for nearby residents.

🔹 Phase 3: Installation

Physical delivery and lifting required meticulous planning over the live waterway.

Because our site crews worked off the same plans created by our design team, crane positions and ground bearing pressures were fully mapped in advance. The lift went ahead smoothly without unexpected hiccups or site downtime.

The result?

Halved journey times to the town centre and direct, safe access for over 100 new households, delivered without unnecessary delays or friction.

We’re proud to have delivered this scheme alongside Stepnell, Erewash Borough Council, Canal & River Trust, DeSimone Consulting Engineering, and GAGARIN STUDIO LIMITED.

Read the full article for a more in-depth breakdown of the project: https://lnkd.in/ec8J5XrC

04/08/2026

Meet Richard Hinckley, our Global Development Director.

Having spent over five years on our Senior Management Team, Richard brings years of bridging experience across both UK and international markets.

Leading from the front, he plays a key role in connecting our design, manufacturing, and installation teams with major infrastructure clients.

As Global Development Director, Richard leads our commercial strategy, focusing on long-term partnerships with clients, consultants, main contractors, and public sector organisations.

His goal is simple: drive sustainable growth and showcase our full Concept to Completion capabilities, ensuring Beaver Bridges continues to deliver innovative, high-quality bridge solutions.

Over the years, Richard has secured major infrastructure projects that highlight our end-to-end expertise, taking schemes from initial design right through to manufacture and site installation.

These successes have built our reputation as a trusted partner for complex bridge projects, and it’s a big reason we’ve been awarded New Civil Engineer – Bridge Contractor of the Year twice in the past three years.

Looking ahead, Richard’s vision is to establish Beaver Bridges as a globally recognised leader in bridging solutions. By expanding our turnkey model into both new UK & international markets, he aims to prove that permanent and temporary bridge design and build can be efficient, sustainable, and straightforward.

With extensive industry knowledge and a collaborative leadership style, Richard is focused on delivering exceptional outcomes. Day in, day out, he's helping shape the future of civil infrastructure, one bridge at a time.

Off the clock, Richard is a country boy who enjoys nothing more than spending an evening behind the wheel of his tractor on the farm. A lifelong rugby union fan (who has long since hung up his boots), his down-to-earth, team-first approach comes straight from his rural roots and time on the pitch.

👉 Connect with Richard here: https://lnkd.in/eB6ckUdR

👉 Meet the rest of our leadership team: https://lnkd.in/ePuWJytE

"Those who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those doing it.’’

Beaver Bridges

20/10/2026

13/10/2026

06/10/2026

29/09/2026

22/09/2026

18/08/2026

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04/08/2026

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