Temporary Works Design to Enable Construction Access
Published: 10/11/2026 12:56
Richter supported Janson Bridging with foundation designs for a temporary bridge over the Calder and Hebble Navigation Canal in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.
The bridge was required to provide plant, machinery and site teams with access to the construction site for the new Baker Viaduct as part of the TransPennine Route Upgrade. The location presented a significant logistical constraint, as it was effectively enclosed by railway lines on two sides and the canal on the third, leaving no suitable route for larger construction plant to reach the works.
A temporary crossing of the canal was therefore required to unlock access to the site and enable the wider construction programme to progress.
Richter developed foundation and ramp designs for the bridge. Due to poor ground conditions and proximity to existing slopes, an intermediate pier was required, which Richter also designed using proprietary propping.
The bridge was installed using a 600-tonne crawler crane. Richter designed the working platform for this substantial plant and assessed the adjacent canal bank for the loading.
Richter also produced 3D concept visualisations of the temporary bridge and its position within the surrounding site. These provided a clear representation of the proposed arrangement and how the bridge would integrate within the constrained site environment. The visualisations helped communication with the project team and wider stakeholders, providing a clear understanding of the proposed works before construction began.
All elements of the modular bridge and pier were proprietary and could therefore be returned to the suppliers when the work was completed and reused elsewhere. The working platforms and other geotechnical structures were designed using recycled stone, which could also be reused once the project was complete.
The temporary bridge provided a critical access route into an otherwise constrained construction site, enabling the movement of plant and personnel required to support construction of the Baker Viaduct. The project demonstrated how temporary works can play a fundamental role in solving site access constraints that might otherwise restrict how a project can be delivered.
