With the number of residential and mixed-use developments in London’s Canary Wharf rising – specifically the Newfoundland Building near Westferry Circus – the need for an additional pedestrian bridge was identified on the western end of Middle Dock.

This new footbridge is an integral part of the redevelopment of the Park Place site on West India Avenue. It contributes to the broader regeneration by introducing improved connections to the public spaces and amenities of the Wharf.

Alloy Fabweld Ltd, our UK manufacturing partner, led the fabrication and installation of the modular pedestrian bridge from their large-scale, carbon-neutral, off-grid manufacturing facility in Essex, United Kingdom. SPS Technology engineer Keith Galway was seconded to the Alloy Fabweld team to inject the 45m² of SPS bridge deck panels used in the design and ensure that the fabrication met SPS Technology’s high standards in bridge manufacturing.

The footbridge assembly underwent a full-scale mock-up in Essex before being transported to Canary Wharf for installation. The bridge was lifted into place on Middle Dock in roughly four hours, using a telescopic crane, a floating work platform/pontoon and a safety boat to ensure the highest health and safety standards.

The footbridge beams were positioned first, followed by the SPS bridge deck panels. Once secured, the SPS panels were structurally sound and able to be used by the team as a work platform, while the next panel was craned into place, with the team above and below the deck able to secure the panels in place without any special tools or machinery.

Once the panels were installed and secured, the footbridge was immediately functional and ready for the levelling works at either end and for the wearing course to be applied.