Contents
Background
Design/ Check: DCC Engineering Design Group (EDG)
Contract: NEC 3 Option B
Project Management/ Supervision: EDG
Works duration: 39 weeks
Year completed: 2023
Works value: £895,000
Skinners Farm Footbridge is located in Fortescue, Sidmouth and spans the River Sid. The bridge carries a shared
footpath and cycleway joining Fortescue with the riverside parks in Sidmouth and provides a safe crossing for children in
Fortescue to access schools in Sidmouth. The bridge also carried a combined sewer from properties in Fortescue.
The previous bridge suffered scour issues to its abutments and was impassable during times of flooding, due to the low
level of the deck and funnelling of the river channel.
What were the options?
The presence of the sewer limited changes to the position and height of the replacement structure. Options to divert the
sewer off the bridge were not feasible due to the minimum gradient not being achievable the sewer without significant
works. Softer riverbank reinstatement options were considered, but the weir upstream of the bridge produces a lot of
energy and turbulence in the river and had created a deep plunge pool upstream of the bridge, fuelling the scour. The
bridge was raised as much as possible to ensure the bridge is useable during flood conditions.
As with other similar span footbridges in Devon delivered in recent years, steel was selected for its strength, lifespan, and
the speed of construction. Once groundworks and abutments were completed, the bridge could simply be lifted in place.
Who was involved?
While the design work and project management were largely coordinated by an Engineer, parts of the consultation,
drawing work, surveying and site supervision were assisted by staff at Graduate/Technician level.
Consultees for the project included the Environment Agency (EA), the landowner, South West Water, Ecologists and the
Town Council. The works required careful consideration of the existing sewer, the temporary diversion of the sewer and
the final arrangement to ensure the service was maintained and fit for purpose.
The project included in river works, avoiding fish spawning season and appropriate temporary works to control water
around excavations to enable the abutment construction and riverbank reinstatement.