Bridge in place as Muse advances in Rotherham
Vital in linking the £47m Forge Island scheme to the town centre, the bridge was manufactured and installed by SH Structures.
The Forge Island development, part of Rotherham Council’s regeneration vision for the town centre, is being delivered by a partnership between the local authority, regeneration specialist Muse and contractor Bowman + Kirkland.
Weighing 86 tonnes, the 46m-long bridge over the River Don represents the latest project by Sherbrn-in-Elmet firm SH. Over two days, a crane was erected and rigged, ready for the careful installation of the bridge which took an hour.
The design by FaulknerBrowns takes inspiration from the Bailey Bridge; a portable, steel-truss bridge, designed and developed by Rotherham-born civil engineer, Donald Bailey, which was used by the military throughout Europe during the Second World War.
The bridge will be illuminated at night, guiding customers to leisure destinations that will include restaurants and an Arc cinema along with a Travelodge. The project is 100% let.
Andrew Fairest, project director at Muse, said: “This is an important milestone for the whole Forge Island development, as we link this new waterfront destination to the Rotherham community, making sure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy what Forge Island has to offer.
“Rotherham’s engineering heritage was a wonderful starting point for the Muse team, offering a rich seam of inspiration and shaping our thinking around Forge Island. The bridge is a key part of this exciting new chapter in Rotherham’s story, linking the past with the present and future.”
Over the next few weeks, a podium is being built on site, which will elevate the scheme out of the floodplain of the River Don. Work will then begin to construct the buildings and new landscaped public spaces, including a stepped amphitheatre beside Rotherham Lock.
The project team also includes Arup, Helm Consulting, Arcadis and re-form Landscape Architecture. Forge Island is set to open to the public in 2024.
A report went before Rotherham Council’s cabinet this week, seeking permission to pursue a Compulsory Purchase Order on 3-7 Corporation Street, as the local authority looks to improve sites in the area linking Forge Island to the town centre.

Forge Island is set to open in 2024. Credit: via Anita Morris Associates