Materials from a former footbridge in Bridport have a new lease of life as part of a new bridge in Charminster.

In June 2020, Dorset Highways replaced St Mary's Footbridge in Bridport but salvaged its timber beams for use in two footbridges in Charminster.

Work started in May 2021 to replace the Higher Charminster footbridge, with the highway structures team on site removing the old bridge and building new, wider abutments for its replacement.

Access was kept open along the route by installing a scaffolding bridge over the river.

Meanwhile, J Bennett Joinery was cutting down the beams to remove rotted timber and salvage the good wood for reuse. This was then resized for beams for two smaller footbridges, as well as being sanded, shaped and oiled.

Steelwork for the deck cross beams was engineered by KTM Fabrication.

David Clegg, Dorset Highways service manager for network operations, said: "We knew we could salvage wood from St Mary's and we carefully considered appropriate settings where residents would benefit from the aesthetics of their repurposing.

"Reusing the hard-wood beams has reduced our carbon footprint by needing less new, raw materials to make the new bridge, it's also saved money due to the cost of hard-wood and the disposal coast of old, waste material.

"This project also demonstrates the great working partnership we have with local experienced and highly skilled professionals here in Dorset, helping us explore options to reuse and recycle across our projects within highways."

The new bridge was lifted into place on July 7 and opened a week later after ramps up to the bridge were completed. The new bridge could last up to 20 years.

Work has now started downstream on Alley footbridge in the village, which will also be reusing the old beams from St Mary's footbridge.

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