Works on Whorlton Suspension Bridge continue
Our specialist team working on the Whorlton Suspension Bridge in Durham, is delighted to be progressing with works following an extensive re-design period.
The Whorlton Suspension Bridge, originally opened in 1831, is a Grade II listed structure and a scheduled monument. It is the UK’s oldest road suspension bridge with the deck totally supported by its original iron chains.
Our Scheduled Monument Consent was originally granted in December 2023, and initial works concentrated on the installation on a catenary cable system and the full dismantling of the bridge. During this process all timber elements were removed first, including the carriageway and footway and all horizontal and longitudinal timber, followed by the hanger roads and then the main chains. Throughout the course of the dismantling our team were working closely with Historic England to ensure all conditions were met before removal of the chain elements.
Each of the 1,800 individual components were catalogued and stored safely on site, intended for re-use in the same position to ensure the historical preservation is retained.
Once all elements were safely stored, they required full testing which consisted of an initial visual inspection and a Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI), with some components requiring Radiography and Load Testing. During this review process, it was determined many components were not structurally sound and the team were faced with the challenge of a re-design.
Working collaboratively with Historic England the team developed a design which replicated the existing chain to ensure strength and aesthetic whilst allowing for the wrought iron chain arms to be utilised as a none load bearing fascia. The hanger rods were redesigned keeping the main aesthetic but incorporating a new tuning system to allow easier maintenance adjustment and circumvent issues that had been a contributing factor to the distortion of the bridge and ultimate failure.
This new approach was signed off in December 2025, with the team immediately beginning the fabrication of new components. Since then, the team have been busy undertaking a trial build of the new timber bridge deck, installing the new chain bearing blocks and reconditioned cast iron saddles and constructing the new longitudinal timber bearings.
The team are now preparing to begin the re-erection.
Whilst the team were developing the complex re-design, work continued on the North and South Anchorage. On the North Anchorage, we installed five reinforced concrete piles, and a reinforced concrete pile cap incorporating two anchor beams, whilst on the South six reinforced concrete piles were installed along with the reinforced pile cap.
Works are continuing, with the team aiming to complete installation in July 2026, before beginning road reinstatement and demobilisation for August 2026.
