Ref: PR2026
Date: 27/11/2008
One of the first new Wakefield city centre bridges in more than a century will be winched into place as part of The Hepworth Wakefield gallery project.
On November 26 a new walkway will connect the world-class art gallery to ‘mainland’ Wakefield on Thornes Lane from its island position next to the River Calder.
The new bridge is a major milestone in the development of the new gallery – one of the largest galleries in the UK outside of London.
The bridge is the second to be installed in Wakefield district this year, following on from the new Castleford bridge this summer.
Cllr Denise Jeffery, Wakefield Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration, culture and sport, said: “The Hepworth promises to be something really special, not just on a local or national scale, but internationally. It’s another landmark achievement which will put Wakefield on the map.
“We can be proud as a district of what we will have achieved with The Hepworth. Its effect on tourism and the district’s economy promises to be fantastic.”
The bridge is around 50m long and weighs 85 tonnes. It will be winched into place by a special 50m high crane – one of only three 1000 tonne telescopic jib cranes currently working in the UK.
To balance the load of the bridge, the crane will be set up with 160 tonnes of counterweight. When the bridge deck is swung round over the river, an additional superlift of 200 tonnes of counterweight will be attached to the crane to allow it to reach out over the river to place the deck on the abutments.
Andy Wallhead, Wakefield Council’s corporate director for regeneration, culture and sport, added: “We hope the bridge will become a major landmark and further enhance this exciting project, which will complete the pedestrian route from the city centre into the gallery’s grounds.”
The state-of-the-art building also uses the latest eco-friendly heating and cooling systems which use recycled water from the River Calder.
Education will play a key part in the gallery’s development and a dedicated area large enough to house two full classes of children will be located on the ground floor, next to a high-tech conference and lecture theatre.
The building’s outer frame is well on the way to completion, with work beginning on the interior next year. The internationally-anticipated gallery is due to open 2010.
Wakefield Council is leading the development of The Hepworth Wakefield, with co-funding partners Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund, English Partnerships, Yorkshire Forward and the European Union.
