Heywood firm helps renovate iconic bridge

Pillar Wedge renovate the Silver Jubilee Bridge in Runcorn

Heywood based company Pillar Wedge has helped to upgrade the Silver Jubilee Bridge in Runcorn.

The firm galvanized 100 tonnes of structural steel for the renovation of the Grade II listed bridge.

Mark Waters, commercial manager for Pillar Wedge, explained exactly what was required from his company:  “We galvanized all the handrails for the bridge, which was about a kilometers worth of handrails. It was an ongoing process over about six months.”

“The reason we needed to do the job so quickly was due to health and safety.”

With the bridge having an estimated 80,000 motorists passing over it every day, Mr Waters also explained how pleasing it was to have taken part in the restoration of such an important bridge.

“It was a good job for us. It’s always great to be involved in a prestigious job like this because your work is going to be there for years.”

Myk Whitehead, Project Manager at T.P Aspinall & Sons Ltd, explained why the bridge was in need of restructuring: “The primary concern was the height of the balustrades as they were considered by the coroner to be insufficient to prevent suicide.”

“It was a significant job as we had to replace the balustrades whilst the bridge was still open. We had to work at weekends and during the night. It was also an unfortunate time of year as the weather conditions were difficult to work in.”

Mr Whitehead added that Pillar Wedge’s contribution was “critical.”

“The service provided in terms of protection from Pillar Wedge was critical. There are other galvanizers out there but we have a good working relationship with Pillar Wedge. They offer us the support and flexibility that we need.”

Pillar Wedge is part of Wedge Group Galvanizing which has 14 plants across the UK and is the largest hot dip galvanizing company in the country.