River Sheppey Footbridge

The bridge is constructed of timber consisting of 2 main beams, deck boards, 14 parapet uprights with 2 handrails on each parapet and a stile to the west. Steel work includes 10 brackets for the handrail uprights, 8 steel rod bracers and connecting bolts and screws. The bridge sits on concrete pads. The age of the bridge is unknown. The main beams and deck are suffering from severe rot. Contractors should be aware that the bridge has also suffered from vandalism. The proposed works include: •Furniture, fencing and vegetation clearance for access purposes. •Installation of a temporary bridge to enable contractor access to the eastern bank - this is not for public use. •Removing and disposing of the timber structure and current concrete pads. •Installing a suitable easily removable cofferdam type dry working area around the western abutment. •Installing sheet piling to protect the western bank. •Installing new concrete abutments on both banks. •Installing steps on both banks. •Supplying and installing a new Somerset County Council standard design steel framed, wooden clad bridge. •Installing a steel self-closing gate at the western end of the bridge, but not fixed to it, with associated extensions to handrails. •Reinstating/replacing the fencing to east of the bridge and installing a new self-closing steel gate in place of the old stile. •Installing a bat box. •Reinstating any damage to the ground