Brunel bridge gets a composites makeover

The new bridge is not susceptible to salt corrosion

The seaside town of Dawlish in Devon hosted a landmark event in the history of UK railway infrastructure during the weekend of 13 and 14 October 2012.

Its station – originally designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1830 – had its 17.5 metre-long steel footbridge replaced with a lightweight composite structure resistant to salt spray and related corrosion.

Designed by Tony Gee and Partners and Optima Projects, the crossing is the first fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite bridge installed at a mainline station in the UK.

The structure replicates the character of the original steel structure but is much lighter and more durable.

The structure was installed by main contractor BAM Nuttall and fabricated by Pipex Structural Composites. The stairs at each end of the bridge are also moulded FRP units.

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