£1.1 million pedestrian bridge nears completion

The last section of the £1.1 million Town Quay Bridge, linking Newton Abbot and Kingsteignton, was lifted into place this week.

The new 90-metre long steel cable-stay bridge is being developed by Devon County Council and charity Sustrans, as part of the charity’s work in developing new everyday walking and cycling links in communities across the UK, with funding from the Big Lottery.

Finishing works are continuing on the bridge, and parapets incorporating lighting, are still to be installed.  Approaches for the cycle way are also to be completed.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, the County Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Highways and Transportation, said:

“This will be another impressive structure on Devon’s growing cycle network and hopefully it will encourage more people to cycle between Newton Abbot and Kingsteignton, while forming a key link in our efforts to build a Trail along the Teign Estuary towards Teignmouth.”

Lifting of the bridge’s deck sections this month follows several years of negotiations, detailed investigations and design development.

The scheme is being carried out with the cooperation of landowners Network Rail, Newton Abbot Racecourse, Teignbridge District Council, Newton Abbot Town Council and the Crown Estate.  The main contractor is Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd.  Rowecord Engineering is carrying out the fabrication and erection of the bridge.

The scheme is expected to open to the public in early 2013.