Part of a new bridge in Charminster started life as a footbridge in Bridport.
In June 2020, Dorset Highways replaced St Mary’s Footbridge in Bridport but salvaged its timber beams for use in two footbridges in Charminster.
Work started in May 2021 to replace the Higher Charminster footbridge, with the highway structures team on site removing the old bridge and building new, wider abutments for its replacement.
Access was kept open along the popular route by installing a scaffolding bridge over the river.
Meanwhile, J Bennett Joinery was cutting down the beams to remove rotted timber and salvage the good wood for reuse. This was then resized for beams for two smaller footbridges – as well as being sanded, shaped and oiled.
The beams were also engineered with precision to ensure steelwork, new posts and deck fit perfectly when assembled.
Steelwork for the deck cross-beams were engineered by KTM Fabrication and delivered to the joiners – for the bridge to take shape, with composite decking boards fitted as the final piece.
David Clegg, Dorset Highways Service Manager for Network Operations, said: “We knew we could salvage wood from St Mary’s and we carefully considered appropriate settings where residents would benefit from the aesthetics of their repurposing.
“Reusing the hard-wood beams has reduced our carbon footprint by needing less new, raw materials to make the new bridge, it’s also saved money due to the cost of new hard-wood and the disposal cost of old, waste material.
“This project also demonstrates the great working partnership we have with local experienced and highly skilled professionals here in Dorset, helping us explore options to reuse and recycle across our projects within highways.”
The new bridge was lifted into place on 7July and opened a week later, after ramps up to the bridge were completed. With due care and maintenance, the new bridge could last up to 20 years.
Work has now started downstream on Alley Footbridge in the village, which will also be reusing the old beams from St Mary’s Footbridge.
Great stuff the more we recycle and up cycle the better. Bridge looks fantastic.
Very impressed, well done to you all!
I really love the practical way that Dorset approach problems. It’s the only way. But somehow this attitude isn’t widespread enough throughout the country. Cutting edge Charminster!
So pleased to see another bridge reused.
I had a hand in negotiating the reuse of a an old narrow footbridge in Gillingham some 15yrs or so ago. The then DCC kindly allowed Bere Regis Parish Council to buy the old bridge for £1 and with support and funds from Purbeck District Council the old bridge was stripped down, widened and reused in the village where it now forms a vital link to the new primary school there.
The cost of the refurbed ‘Souls Bridge’ was a mere tenth of a new one at the time and proved with team work between the various councils and the Environment Agency anything is possible. Well done to everyone involved.
A former parish councillor.
Excellent work to all who have made this possible. concerned. Looking forward to Alley Bridge being completed.
Great work! Well done to everyone involved in this project. So gratifying to see materials being thoughtfully re-used and crafted to high standards to produce the new and beautiful footbridge!
As an engineer who, in his time, has produced 220 footbridges, some from recycled wood, I can safely say that yours appears to have been done with professionalism and good tradesmanship !
If the deck is well drained, properly treated and kept clean in the long term, the bridge will last 50 years or more (not 20).
Great work, guys!
Looks fantastic and worth a visit . Where exactly is it please ? I don’t know Charminster too well .
Hi Barry, the completed bridge is at the northern end of the village on a lane called Higher Charminster which turns into Mill Lane. Alternatively, you could start at the church, walk along the riverside and see the work taking place at Alley Bridge (which we’re also replacing) then head along Mill Lane to see the finished bridge.
We desperately need a footbridge over the Stiour on Julian’s Road, Wimborne. It’s too narrow a road for pedestrians, who take a risk when crossing and usually have to take refuge from constant traffic, including big lorries and buses, as they attempt to walk in and out of the town.
Well done to all concerned!