Victoria Footbridge

Restoration project of the Victoria Footbridge, River Wye

Facts and figures

  • Three-span suspension bridge built in 1898
  • Centre spans 33.36m, side spans 11.41m
  • Integration of expertise from engineers, planners, conservationists, ecologists, archaeologists and environmentalists
  • Design facilitated future maintenance to deliver lowest whole life cost
  • Minimal environmental impact
  • Use of sustainable (FSC-certified) hardwood
  • Grit blast material made in part from recycled products
  • Maximum original fabric retained and waste segregated to facilitate recycling
  • Navigation lighting shaded to avoid disturbing migration and spawning of Lamprey and Shad
  • Use of local specialists and other services wherever possible to support the community
  • KPIs aligned to Constructing Excellence measures

Interserve carried out a detailed and complex restoration of the Grade II listed Victoria Footbridge, a key pedestrian cycle route across the River Wye in the city of Hereford.

The design included detailed structural assessment, as well as researching historical records and photographs to replace lost features.

The work included removal of rust, all original lead-based paintwork, repairs and strengthening of structural steelwork, re-painting in original cream colour, replacement of footway with timber to match the original and sensitive restoration of original decorative features (some of which have been removed in the 1960s for safety reasons).

Grit blasting, steel work repairs, painting, and carpentry were undertaken within an encapsulated workplace to prevent pollution of this Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation.

Innovative temporary works, where access employed self-imposed restrictions on plant size, provided an environmentally-sustainable approach. Excellent partnering and teamwork countered exceptional cases of vandalism and floods to deliver the completed bridge three weeks earlier than programmed.

Achievements

  • Herefordshire Council received Best Value through a joint approach to the detailed assessment and metallurgy inspection of the structure, enabling surveys and inspections to be carried out in one visit.
  • The need to minimise closure time and access restrictions, as well as environmental limitations, produced innovative access solutions from Interserve and its key supply chain partners. A floating working platform minimised disturbance to river life whilst providing the solution to temporary works materials transfer and erection.
  • Early environmental assessments ensured these influenced the planning and design process so that mitigation measures were integral to the design.
  • Interserve worked closely with Herefordshire Council to ensure local people were kept fully informed of progress throughout. Exhibitions and displays helped to achieve support for the project from the community. Noisy works were minimised and planned to avoid disturbance to a nearby hospital.
  • Awards: Achieved ‘Excellent’ (highest grade) in the Civil Engineering Environmental Quality (CEEQUAL) scheme. Also received the National Green Champion from Green Apple, ICE West Midlands Project, Heritage & Presidential, Historic Bridge & Infrastructure Commendation, Considerate Constructors and was shortlisted in the BCI Best Practice and Prime Minister’s Better Public Building.

“Despite the restrictions and complexity of the project, the site agent tackled the various issues with patience, good humour and a high degree of consideration of the potential impact on members of the public, neighbours and visitors to the city.”  Herefordshire Council.