Heritage bridge works specialist Spencer Bridge Engineering has been honoured with a major industry award for their work to install a unique temporary walkway on a historic Scottish bridge.
The company, part of Spencer Group, received the 2024 Galvanizing in Engineering Award from the Galvanisers Association for its outstanding interpretation of what galvanized steel can offer to the built environment during its work on the listed Connel Bridge.
The structure, which is over 120 years old, spans Loch Etive linking the villages of Connel and North Connel, near the coastal town of Oban in Scotland.
Spencer Bridge Engineering was contracted by BEAR Scotland, a service provider to the Scottish roads maintenance sector, on behalf of Transport Scotland, to develop a new walkway to allow pedestrian access throughout planned works to replace the entire bridge deck over the coming years.
The project involved the design, construction and installation of a 240-metre-long walkway along the full length of the bridge.
The new walkway has a design life of 50 years and is cantilevered off the east side of the bridge, negotiating the complex shape of the structure to provide access while being sympathetic to the bridge’s design and history.
Using the latest design technologies, including laser scanning and 3D modelling, the Spencer Bridge Engineering team analysed the bridge before developing a walkway which was both practical and in keeping with the existing bridge, as well as a non-invasive clamping solution to install the structure.
The walkway comprised of over 1,000 components, each of which was “hot dip” galvanized. This process provided practical benefits, including durability and corrosion resistance, as well as creating a finish which was aesthetically in harmony with the existing structure.
Members of Spencer Bridge Engineering’s Mechanical Design Team attended the Galvanisers Association Luncheon in London to accept the award – a unique galvanised watering can.
Principal Engineer Chris Kirkby, who attended the award presentation, said:
“The whole team are delighted to have been recognised with this award and it gives us great pride to have worked on this project.
“A key element of the project was ensuring that the works were completely non-invasive to ensure no damage was caused to the original structure.
“Having both design and construction teams in house enables us to work collaboratively to design the most practical and effective solutions to complex projects, which is demonstrated by the success of our work on Connel Bridge.”
As part of the prize, the team were awarded a £200 cheque which they chose to donate to Spencer Group’s Charity of the Year, Teenage Cancer Trust.
The charity, which offers specialist care and support to young sufferers of cancer and their loved ones, was nominated to be this year’s charity by a staff member who witnessed first-hand the care it provided for his friend’s son.
The donation is the latest in a series of fundraisers Spencer Group team members have been involved with throughout the year, with more events planned over the coming months.
Heather Bowen, Senior Relationship Manager at Teenage Cancer Trust said:
“A huge congratulations to Spencer Group’s Bridges team for winning the Galvanizing in Engineering Award. We are incredibly grateful they have decided to generously donate the prize money to Teenage Cancer Trust.
“Spencer Group is doing a phenomenal job of fundraising for Teenage Cancer Trust. They are helping to ensure that young people with cancer get the specialist support they need, and are not facing cancer alone.”
