Bridge that gap.

Photo: Richard Lucking

As a person at risk – it’s my age you know – the current lockdown is rather restricting my movements. Apart from my exercise-based walk up the hill to record my vlog, l am rather confined to quarters.

This means l am going to have to wait for the official B&NES press room account of the installation of the new Bath Quays footbridge across the River Avon. Though, l have to say, l am grateful to my friend Richard Lucking for keeping me visually updated.

B&NES say they are still going to hold a public competition to come up with an official name for the new crossing and Peter Dunn is quick off the mark to come up with a suggestion.

“I note that the new bridge is being installed which should be called George Stothert Bridge.”

I have interviewed Peter in the past. He is a member of a team of people involved in restoring an 1864 Stothert and Pitt crane which they hope will be installed somewhere within this new commercial development. Much of which will cover industrial land formerly occupied by the Bath-based company that earned the title ‘crane makers to the world.’

Peter tells me: ” I thought that now is a good time for an update on the 1864 S&P crane restoration project as, despite the lock down, we have made good progress.

The main cast-Iron structure has been shot blasted and painted , the rail wheel truck frame and king post have been reassembled. A new jib has been obtained and is our next phase of work.

We are on schedule to finish in the late summer of 2021. Now that the bridge has been installed we will be holding talks about its location with the Newark works (South Quays) site the preferred spot is so that it is very visible as people walk or cycle over the new bridge.

It would be a fitting tribute to Bath Engineering heritage and the many Bathonian’s who worked there.”