CIHT (West Midlands) CPD Session - Historic Austcliffe Iron Footbridge Restoration Project Delivered by Ringway

Ringway were delighted to be approached by the CIHT to present this CPD session and look forward to working with the CIHT going forward.

 

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a route that members of the CIHT can take to ensure that their knowledge and skills remain relevant and up to date throughout their career. 

 

These sessions also allow employees to plan independent career goals, address any problems, and gain confidence within their sector and job role. 

 

The session delivered by Ringway’s Bridges and Structures Manager, Keith Corbett and Business Unit Manager, Richard Fryer together with Steve Adams of Nu-Weld Engineering (who delivered the project) focused on the recent restoration of the 229-year-old Austcliffe Bridge to its original glory. 

 

Austcliffe Bridge near the village of Caunsall in Worcestershire is a 229-year-old cast iron footbridge over the River Stour. Highly innovative at the time of construction, it was built just 16 years after the great iron bridge in Ironbridge, in 1795. Even though the footbridge runs along a public footpath connecting Caunsall village with the popular residential area of Austcliffe, the bridge has been neglected over the years, with flood damage weakening the brick-built abutments. Due to safety concerns, the bridge was closed to pedestrians and the bridge became overgrown and fell into a state of disrepair. The project, to bring this bridge back to its original glory included bankside reinforcement work, brick replacement, abutment repointing, strengthening work to the original cast ironwork and repainting the whole superstructure. Ringway, the main contractor has delivered an outstanding low-carbon refurbishment project, while remaining sensitive to the historic importance of this beautiful footbridge.

 

The CPD session received an excellent turnout, and there was a strong sense of collaboration between both the session leaders and members.

 

Zoe Smith, Events Programme Lead at CIHT said: “The session delivered by Ringway was enlightening, thought-provoking and gave attendees an opportunity to gain insight into the complexities in delivering historic and collaborative constructive projects.”

 

“Sessions like these are key for students and future entrants in our sector to gain technical understanding of real-world problems.”

“I look forward to organising more insightful CPD events and site visits with Ringway.”