Charter Street Footbridge, Leicester

About the project

Danaher & Walsh was appointed by Leicester City Council to design and construct a landmark five metre-wide footbridge linking Abbey Park to Charter Street in the city.

Key details

Client: Leicester City Council
Project value: £1.3m
Date: Completed Dec. 2017

Key aims and challenges

The bridge's construction formed part of City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby's Connecting Leicester programme, which aims to create links between disparate parts of Leicester's city centre by building public open spaces and safe pedestrian and cycle routes.

The bridge crosses the Grand Union Canal from the Leicester Community Sports Arena - home of the Leicester Riders BBL basketball team - to the city's Abbey Park.

How did we do?

Danaher & Walsh was appointed on a design & construct basis via the Maintenance of Highways Structures Term Contract. Early Contractor Involvement took place over a two year period in order to help successfully develop a scheme that delivers a bridge that suits the needs of all stakeholders.

The scheme presented a number of technical challenges, including allowing clearance for waterborne craft and the proximity of the bridge to the existing sports arena. Working with design partners Wm Saunders Partnership, an innovative steel bridge using a Pratt truss design has been developed.

Liaison took place with various statutory undertakers and stakeholders, including National Grid, the Canals & Rivers Trust and adjacent landowners. Danaher & Walsh also worked with Leicester City Council to meet the requirements of the city's planning department.

Watch a video about the bridge lifting operation here.

From the client...

Danaher & Walsh and their team worked tirelessly to see this fantastic project through from inception to completion. The scheme presented numerous technical challenges, but their ‘can-do’ attitude and undoubted knowledge and experience ensured that the end-product is completely fit-for-purpose. The site was managed very well in Leicester’s flagship public park and the impact of the works on the surrounding environment was minimal.

By opening up Abbey Park to the Belgrave Gate area of the city centre, this bridge will benefit the people of Leicester for many years to come

Sir Peter Soulsby, City Mayor, Leicester City Council