Old Tram Bridge

DYSE are supporting Billington based steelwork fabricator Harrison Engineering who are providing a design and build service to Principal Contractor Eric Wright who are headquartered locally in Preston. The funding for the bridge is coming from part of Preston city’s levelling up funding.

The bridge has a fascinating history. It was originally built to carry a horse and cart trackway for coal waggons to be delivered to Preston, from the canal at Walton Summit into Preston. It was delivered initially as a timber bridge when John Rennie’s 1800 ambitious initial design for an aqueduct was deemed too costly. After separate deck and pier reconstructions, the bridge is now a concrete bridge, but has now been condemned due to deteriorating condition. The bridge is much loved by the locals. Indeed, the Friend of Old Tram Bridge group has 2500+ members.

The bridge was proposed to be four separate independent spans but our idea for a continuous bridge structure to provide a stiffer, more efficient and more durable construction helped to secure the job at tender stage. The bridge is now fully designed and Category 3 checked and is going through an assurance process with the local authority.