Press Release
Release: Immediate
Date: 8th February, 2010
Media Enquiries: 01788 538759
Morgan Est, one of the UK’s leading infrastructure specialists, has been awarded a £2 million contract to build Workington’s new temporary road bridge on behalf of Cumbria County Council.
The bridge, which connects the two sides of Workington over the River Derwent, will re-establish a vehicular access previously provided by the Northside Bridge which collapsed in last year’s floods and tragically claimed the life of PC Bill Barker.
Its collapse and the closure of the unstable Workington (Calva) Bridge has created lengthy detours and delays for motorists trying to cross the River Derwent in Workington. Now work, which will begin in February, will alleviate the problem.
The project, which is expected to be completed in May 2010, will involve the construction of a two-lane, 350-tonne temporary bridge which will span 67 metres. Additional works include the associated earthworks, roadworks, foundations, drainage, service diversions and accommodation works.
Jag Paddam, Morgan Est’s Managing Director for Infrastructure Services, said: “This is a very poignant and vital project which will make a huge difference in helping to alleviate the current traffic problems in the area. We will work closely with Cumbria County Council to ensure the community is kept informed of the works and that the bridge is completed on time.”
Cllr Jim Buchanan, Leader of Cumbria County Council, said: "We've chosen the company that delivers the best project for the best value in the shortest time. Cumbria County Council has been really impressed with the project management skills shown by Morgan Est in preparing their bid. They have planned the project so a lot of the construction activity is happening simultaneously, meaning they were the fastest of all the bidders and the period of disruption for local people is kept to a minimum.
“The temporary Workington bridge is a vital part of the jigsaw we're building to restore the transport infrastructure in west Cumbria and it's going to be a huge relief for the people of Workington and those who travel through west Cumbria to see construction starting on the bridge."
-ENDS-
Notes to the editor:
Morgan Est is a leading UK provider of infrastructure services across the public and private sector. The business specialises in the design and delivery of complex engineering projects and provides specialist tunnelling, utilities, civil engineering and mechanical and electrical services to the water, transport and energy sectors. It is part of top UK construction and regeneration group Morgan Sindall plc which operates through five divisions of fit out, construction, infrastructure services, affordable housing and urban regeneration, which are supported by two specialist units of investments and professional services.
Media contact:
Charlotte Mould, Communications Officer, tel: 01788 538759, email: charlotte.mould@morganest.com
Picture captions:
Workington Bridge 1.jpg (left to right) Paul Gott, Morgan Est Contracts Director, Tony Cunningham MP, MP for Workington, Cllr Jim Buchanan, Leader of Cumbria County Council, Jag Paddam, Morgan Est Managing Director Infrastructure Services, Rt Hon Sadiq Khan MP, Minister of State for Transport, Cllr Timothy Heslop, Leader of Allerdale Borough Council.
Workington Bridge 2.jpg (left to right) Cllr Jim Buchanan, Leader of Cumbria County Council, Jag Paddam, Morgan Est Managing Director Infrastructure Services, Rt Hon Sadiq Khan MP, Minister of State for Transport.
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