Cawarden works around the clock to demolish Derby’s Meadow Lane footbridge and safely completes the work ahead of programme allowing the roadway to re-open 24 hours earlier than scheduled.

The A52 Wyvern Transport Improvement Scheme is a key infrastructure project for Derby, and a major aspect of the scheme is the replacement footbridge which will link the residential area of Chaddesden to the Wyvern and Pride Park area. To allow the project to forge ahead, the old bridge had to, first of all, be demolished which is where Cawarden’s expertise came in.

Appointed as a sub-contractor to Galliford Try, Cawarden was required to demolish the old footbridge.

Due to part of the A52 needing to be closed whilst the demolition works were being carried out, the works were completed around the clock utilising day and night shift workers.  

Following site set-up, the road and central reservation suitably protected and with dust suppression in place, demolition works could begin.

The demolition methodology first required handrails to be sheared off the bridge to allow access to the concrete frame. Machines, including Cawarden’s own specialist high-reach excavator, started munching the concrete from the middle of the bridge working out to the inner legs. The legs were then pulverized down to a depth of 1.5 metres below ground. Once complete, the clean-up operation could commence. Lorries removed all hardcore and rebar from site which was taken to a local recycling facility. The area was levelled and left clean, tidy and free from hazards.

We were delighted to safely complete the works ahead of programme, allowing the roadway to re-open 24 hours earlier than scheduled.

The new bridge was opened in October 2020 and significantly enhances walking and cycling in the area. It creates a fully accessible link between residential and commercial areas for pedestrians, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, pushchair users and cyclists.

Learn more about our work on this project

Time-lapse video