Forge Island bridge to arrive in June

The pedestrian bridge that will link Rotherham’s £47m flagship leisure development to the town centre will be installed early this summer, said partners Muse and Rotherham Council.

The 46-metre bridge is under construction in Yorkshire and is modelled on the Bailey bridge designed by Rotherham engineer and used by the military throughout Europe in World War II.

Rotherham’s bridge was designed by architect FaulknerBrowns and is being fabricated and manufactured by Sherburn in Elmet firm SH Structures, a specialist in the design and manufacture of complex steel structures.

Main contractor Bowmer + Kirkland started on site in November 2022 at Forge Island, where it is working with a project team including Arup, Helm Consulting, Arcadis and re-form Landscape Architecture.

Forge Island, which is already fully let, is a banner project for the South Yorkshire town, and is expected to open to the public in 2024. Those committed include boutique cinema operator The Arc and Travelodge, along with a host of independent food & beverage operators.

Andrew Fairest, project director at Muse, said: “It’s fantastic to see the bridge taking shape and see how a contemporary take on the pioneering Bailey Bridge design will create something quite special at Forge Island.

“For Muse, the history of a place is an instrumental part of its story – and informs how we go about creating its next chapter. The bridge not only provides a physical link to what will be a much-needed family-friendly offer for Rotherham, but a metaphorical one to the incredible industrial heritage of this town. We’re excited to be making Forge Island a major part of Rotherham’s story once again.”

Rotherham Council’s cabinet member for jobs and economy, Cllr Denise Lelliott, said: “The bridge, which will link the heart of the town centre to the heart of the industrial past, will also pay tribute to the world-changing creativity and craft our residents have been a part of in the past – and the innovation yet to come.”