Forth bridge firm builds new crossing over canal

Britannia Bridge fabrication work (Credit: EBC)

A firm that makes bridges and whose experts help to maintain one of the UK’s most iconic crossings has begun factory construction of a new link that will span the Erewash Canal – as part of Long Eaton’s £25million Town Deal.

The company – Wigan-based Beaver Bridges – is responsible for inspecting the suspension cables of Scotland’s famous Forth Road Bridge.

It has started work on fabricating a footbridge and cycleway that is due to be craned into place in Long Eaton in the summer.

The Britannia Mills Bridge near Canal Street will be delivered by local based firm Stepnell Limited and will improve connectivity in the town – halving the mile-long distance between canal crossings north of the town centre. The location for it is close to where 109 new affordable homes are nearing completion on the site of an old lace-making complex.

The metal crossing is one of two across the canal that are being funded by Government investment that the council helped to secure for the town. The other bridge – a dramatic curved structure – will replace the existing Broad Street footway, which is nearing the end of its lifespan. Access to the towpath will be improved, plus there will be a new waterfront leisure space.

A host of projects funded by the regeneration money include a £10million revamp of the town centre – which will also begin this year.

Cllr Curtis Howard, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said: “The council has been to visit the Wigan bridge factory at Ince-in-Makerfield and is pleased to report that great progress is being made. Long Eaton’s residents will soon have not one but two new crossings over the canal – and it will be quite a sight when each of these fantastic bridges is craned into place.”