Iconic New Canal Bridge Lowered Into Place

A Major Milestone And Feat Of Engineering At The Heart Of ‘On The Banks’ Development.

Barnfield Construction lowered a new canal footbridge into position yesterday at the heart of the On The Banks development in the Weavers’ Triangle.

After several hours of preparation for the delicate manoeuvre, a 500 tonne crane lowered the new footbridge into position across the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, which was quite a feat of engineering.

The new footbridge, which weighs 50 tonnes and spans over 50 metres, has been clad in glass and corten to align with the surrounding On The Banks development and to interact with the new public realm scheme which is currently underway.

The footbridge will incorporate LED lighting into the handrails, keeping with the mix of historic and modern features within the unique canalside mixed use development.

Although the new footbridge is now in situ, it won’t be open to the public until the completion of the Sandygate Square, which will include a new amphitheatre and canalside terrace.  Once opened the footbridge will truly open up the On The Banks development in line with the masterplan linking the area to the town centre.

Gareth Smith, Barnfield’s Project Director said: “This is another major milestone in a highly technical and difficult project that has delivered some fantastic outcomes in a difficult market.

“The aspirations for the On The Banks project were agreed at the outset of the project in joint venture with Burnley Council. The uncompromising approach to both quality and delivery has ensured that the more difficult parts of the development are delivered in a timely manner.

“The bridge signifies the ethos of the development coming together by opening up a once cut of part of Burnley. The designs for the bridge were thought over for a long time but we are now confident that this is a fantastic addition to the ever growing On The Banks development. We worked closely with the Canals and Rivers Trust to ensure the design aligned with canal users and barges passing under the new bridge.”

Adding: “We are currently bringing forward plans for future phases and we are excited by a number of end uses we are bringing to the development which will include leisure, restaurants and some fantastic hotel and residential accommodation.”

Burnley Council’s Chief Executive, Steve Rumbelow said: “It is wonderful to see the new bridge in position which signifies the second phase of works transforming the Weavers’ Triangle ‘On the Banks’ are well underway.

“The public realm and highway improvements taking place in and around the Weavers’ Triangle will create a modern and welcoming gateway.

“High quality public realm works are proven to have wider economic value, including raised demand for land and buildings and increased property values, as well as creating places where people want to visit and enjoy their leisure time.”

Burnley Council Leader, Mark Townsend said “On The Banks is one of the largest heritage led regeneration schemes in the country and I’m so proud to see the transformations taking place, which will help put Burnley on the map as a place where enterprise and innovation are thriving.”

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NOTES TO THE EDITORS

On The Banks in the Weavers’ Triangle is a unique area which sits along the banks of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at the heart of Burnley which is being restored with a modern 21st century twist, sensitively mixing historic features with iconic modern infrastructure creating unrivalled mixed use waterside sites.

The £100 million project, set on the North and South banks of the canal will provide inimitable landmark public spaces, impressive office and creative work space, living accommodation, with leisure and retail centres on the water’s edge.

Partners Burnley Council, Barnfield Construction and Lancashire Council are involved in delivering key elements of the highway and public realm works, supported by funding from the Regional Growth Fund, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Lancashire County Council.

The public realm works will create a contemporary feel in and around the Weavers’ Triangle On The Banks development with granite pavements, feature lighting along Trafalgar down to Sandygate Square, where works to transform Sandygate Square into the centrepiece of the area’s regeneration, will include:

• The installation of a new footbridge over the canal creating a pedestrian gateway to the developments around Sandygate and the new University Technical College (UTC)
• A large amphitheatre
• Canalside terrace
• New street furniture and landscaped areas

Main Contractor – Barnfield Construction Limited

Proud to employ local labour/materials/sub-contractors for each and every contract they work on.  Barnfield employ over 250 staff, have an annual turnover of approximately £50 million and currently have over 20 contracts on site.  Barnfield work with private and public sector partners, they develop investment properties for their own portfolio and have a range of construction clients covering all major sectors.

Developer – Barnfield Burnley Developments Limited
Barnfield Construction Limited and Burnley Council have joined forces to uniquely bring together private and public sector experience. Together the brand new joint venture company which will work solely to rejuvenate and develop the former Weavers Triangle area into a vibrant part of Burnley. – See more at: http://www.onthebanks.co.uk/barnfield-burnley-developments-ltd/#sthash.RLMc4Se5.dpuf

The wider development – On The Banks formerly known Weavers Triangle
Please visit http://www.onthebanks.co.uk/overview/ for more information on the development

Further details contact Charlotte Rice on 01282 442300  Or Joanne Etherington, Communications Team Burnley Council, Tel. 01282 477315