Schoolchildren in Marnhull have been celebrating the opening of a new footbridge over the River Stour.
Over five weeks, Dorset Highways replaced Old Mill Lane bridge, which is frequently used by the local School during natural sciences work, as well as being used by local walkers.
Staff and pupils from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School helped mark the opening of the bridge on Thursday 24 June.
The project started with the erection of scaffolding underneath the old bridge so that the structure could be carefully removed by hand. Following this, work began on the abutments – with three new concrete pads built for the new bridge to sit on.
The new steel beams were then lowered into place and bolted together. Formwork panels were then installed to infill between the webs of steelwork to complete the base of the structure.
A concrete mix was then poured to create the bridge deck and an anti-slip surface applied. Finally, the handrail parapets were put in place – and the bridge was ready for use!
To keep the original character of the bridge the top section of the original, central stone pillar support (in the river) was carefully taken down and rebuilt around the new bridge.
It would be lovely if when they are finished, they could come and sort out the footpaths/bridleways in Stalbridge
Your headline states Old Mill Lane Stalbridge WRONG its Marnhull!!! Only about 4 miles out
Hi Elizabeth, thanks for getting in touch, I’ve checked through the article and I can see no reference to Stalbridge.