Our Projects - South Milton Sands footbridge

Thurlestone Sands footbridge is located on a popular section of the South West Coast path and lies between Thurlestone and South Milton Sands. The bridge spans a small tidal river and marsh land and is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is also designated as a SSSI site.

The bridge is one of the longest footbridges on the South West Coast path at 65m long. Unfortunately, the handrails and posts had deteriorated to such an extent that complete renewal was considered to be the only workable solution. The existing bridge stiffener spacer block had also deteriorated so that the bridge tended to wobble when walked on and was known by some of the local residents as the “wibbly wobbly” bridge.

A contract to refurbish the bridge was awarded to SWH (South West Highways) who sub-contracted the works to Marine & Civil Solutions Ltd. The refurbishment works consisted of replacing the timber parapet posts and rails. The bridge stiffener spacer blocks and rotten deck planks were also replaced.

As the bridge is in a SSSI and AONB the contractor took care to preserve the working area as best as practically possible and ensured disruption was kept to the minimum. The bridge was also closed to the public while works took place. In order to safely remove and replace the parapet posts the majority of the structure was accessed using a small mobile scaffold tower platform and planned around the tides. The remaining parts of the handrail were safely replaced by workmen while attached to the bridge by a safety harness.

The work was commissioned by Devon County Council and part funded by the Coastal Communities Fund grant achieved by the South West Coast Path Association

Contractor: Marine and Civil Solutions Ltd of Trusham (Main Contractor – South West Highways) and CTS Bridges of Huddersfield