A PROJECT to replace footpath panels on Menai Suspension Bridge has been given an industry award.

Engineering firm Spencer Group received the Bridges Management Award at the inaugural Bridges Awards, which celebrates design, construction and maintenance of pedestrian, highway and rail bridges in the UK.

The awards are run by Bridge Design & Engineering magazine and were held as a virtual ceremony during eBridges 2021, the 29th annual Bridges conference, exhibition, workshop and networking event.

They judges commended several aspects of the challenging project, saying it “demonstrated good inspection and maintenance processes and innovative use of installation equipment”, showcased “impressive quality control” and delivered “good solutions for maintenance issues on an iconic bridge”.

Linking the island of Anglesey and the Welsh mainland, Menai is the world’s second oldest operational vehicular suspension bridge.

Spencer Group is carrying out the major works to remove, replace and then resurface almost all of the footway panels on the approach spans on both sides of the Grade I listed bridge.

It is delivering the project for UK Highways A55 Ltd, using complex rope access methods, often operating over the side and under the bridge deck, 30m above the Menai Strait.

Kerry Evans, operations manager of UK Highways A55 Ltd, accepted the award for the project, which involved a collaborative partnership between UK Highways A55; WSP, the Principal Designers for the scheme; and Spencer Group.

Luke Fisher, Sector Lead for Bridges and Structures at Spencer Group, said: “We’re delighted and very proud that this project has been recognised in the Oscars of the bridges sector.

“The judges clearly recognised the ingenuity, innovation and quality that are the hallmarks of this scheme. Above all the award is a testament to the exceptional collaboration and team working between the project partners.”