A CRANE so big that it needed a smaller machine to help piece it together was brought in to help replace a bridge in St Asaph.

Spring Gardens Bridge, which partly obstructed the flow of the river Elwy in the devastating floods in November 2012, is being replaced with a higher and wider structure.

The crane, one of the largest in the UK, was brought on site last Thursday to install the new bridge span. Once operational, the old bridge will be removed.


The large crane moves the 25 tonne beam effortlessly in to position to form the base of the new bridge in St Asaph. Photo: Don Jackson-Wyatt

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) contractors, Dawnus are working alongside Bob Francis Crane Hire to carry out the bridge installation.

Councillor Colin Hardie, mayor of St Asaph, said: “The crane was an impressive structure in itself. It required a smaller crane to be able to piece it together and then dismantle it when the work was completed. I’m not sure how tall it was, I think over 100-foot.

“It moved five individual concrete beams into position over the river, each beam weighed close to 40 tons. It was very impressive seeing how accurately they were manoeuvred into place.”

Cllr Hardie said the work was “long awaited” whilst NRW hailed it an “important milestone”. The bridge work forms part of a flood scheme that it expected to help protect people in more than 400 homes.

Work is also underway on new and raised defences through the city downstream of Lower Denbigh Road.

Cllr Hardie added: “The work (on the bridge) forms only part of the overall flood defence improvements which are expected to be completed in the Autumn this year – this includes the raising of the flood banks.

“I’m certain all residents will have been delighted to have seen this work to the bridge finally come to fruition. At least now they won’t have the same worries when we have periods of heavy rain during future winters, but until the old bridge is finally dismantled the potential for it to obstruct the river remains.”

Until the scheme is completed, short-term measures to reduce flood risk will continue on the River Elwy. Measures include the installation of temporary flood barriers when required along a 150 metre stretch of the river.