A historic bridge which has stood proud for almost a century has fully reopened, following an ambitious restoration project.
Queen’s Park Bridge in Heywood has been transformed from a crumbling eyesore into a stunning bridge which looks much like it would have done when it was first unveiled in 1933.
Heywood company, BDB Special Projects Ltd, delivered the £4.5 million scheme, led by Rochdale Borough Council, with work getting under way in January last year. It was delivered using national CRSTS (City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement) funding.
The work included major structural repairs, resurfacing of the pathway and road, the creation of new pedestrian railings and kerbs and the replacement of the parapets. Great care was taken to recreate the parapets in the ornate 1930s style.
Historic lighting specialist Metcraft, based in Middleton, was also drafted in to reconstruct historic lights which had once lined the bridge, but were damaged beyond repair.
The team was able to use photos and remnants of the old lights, to recreate them and make them appear almost exactly as they would have done, even down to painting them in the original dark green and gold leaf. The lights have been reinstated onto the bridge and will be lit up once again.
BDB also delivered a host of additional benefits as part of the project, including supporting the reconstruction and repair of the BMX track in Queen’s Park and taking part in projects with nearby primary schools, St Michael’s in Bamford and St Luke’s in Heywood.
Councillor Shah Wazir said: “Queen’s Park Bridge is looking absolutely fantastic and what a sight to see it is. This is not only a feat of engineering, it’s also a heritage project, which has involved the careful restoration of an historic structure which honours the proud history of this area.”
Heywood resident Terry Kirkby (87) whose grandad had worked on the original bridge, was one of the proud locals who was on site to see the unveiling.
He said: “My grandad, Ernest Kirkby, worked on the historic lights on the bridge in the 1940s, so this is really personal for me. It was such a special moment to see it open and the workmanship has been simply marvellous. My grandad would have been so proud to see it today.
“When I was a young lad, this bridge hadn’t been open long, and now it looks just like it did back then. So many people were beeping and waving and coming to speak to us about the bridge, I hadn’t realised it was so popular. I walk around Queen’s Park regularly to stay fit, so have followed the work as it has happened and now I get to see the finished result every day.”
Craig Hall, one of the directors at BDB Special Projects in Heywood, said: “We are proud to have been associated with this project. The restored and upgraded structure is truly remarkable and will now be enjoyed by the community for many years to come.
Image: (from left) Craig Hall, one of the directors at BDB with Terry Kirkby, whose grandfather had worked on the bridge, with councillor Shah Wazir
