A historic bridge which has stood proud for almost a century has fully reopened, following an ambitious restoration project led by Rochdale Borough Council.
Queen’s Park Bridge in Heywood has been transformed from a crumbling eyesore into a stunning bridge which looks much like it would have done when it was first unveiled in 1933.
Heywood-based company BDB Special Projects Limited delivered the £4.5 million scheme, with work getting under way in January 2024. It was delivered using national CRSTS (City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement) funding.
The work included major structural repairs, resurfacing of the pathway and road, the creation of new pedestrian railings and kerbs and the replacement of the parapets. Great care was taken to recreate the parapets in the ornate 1930s style. Historic lighting specialist Metcraft, based in Middleton, was also drafted in to reconstruct historic lights which had once lined the bridge, but were damaged beyond repair.
The bridge was reconstructed to look as it would have done when it was first unveiled in the 1930s
The team was able to use photos and remnants of the old lights, to recreate them and make them appear almost exactly as they would have done, even down to painting them in the original dark green and gold leaf. The lights have been reinstated onto the bridge and will be lit up once again.
BDB also delivered a host of additional benefits as part of the project, including supporting the reconstruction and repair of the BMX track in Queen’s Park and taking part in projects with nearby primary schools, St Michael’s in Bamford and St Luke’s in Heywood.
Councillor Shah Wazir, cabinet member for highways, said:
“Queen’s Park Bridge is looking absolutely fantastic and what a sight to see it is. This is not only a feat of engineering, it’s also a heritage project, which has involved the careful restoration of an historic structure which honours the proud history of this area.
“I’m so impressed by the quality of work BDB has done and I’m delighted that this contract was delivered by a local company, which has put back into the local community as part of this project.”
Councillor Angela Brown, chair of the Heywood Township, said:
“With the multi million pound regeneration of Heywood Civic Centre being delivered just a few minutes’ drive away from the bridge, alongside the new BMX track at Queen’s Park and work ready to get under way on a new civic square, this is an incredibly exciting time for Heywood and I’m delighted to see it.”
The team at BDB also supported the delivery of the BMX track in Queen’s Park
Heywood resident Terry Kirkby, 87, whose grandad had worked on the original bridge, was one of the proud locals who was on site to see the unveiling.He said:
“My grandad, Ernest Kirkby, worked on the historic lights on the bridge in the 1940s, so this is really personal for me. It was such a special moment to see it open and the workmanship has been simply marvellous. My grandad would have been so proud to see it today.
“When I was a young lad, this bridge hadn’t been open long, and now it looks just like it did back then. So many people were beeping and waving and coming to speak to us about the bridge, I hadn’t realised it was so popular. I walk around Queen’s Park regularly to stay fit, so have followed the work as it has happened and now I get to see the finished result everyday.”
Craig Hall, one of the directors at BDB Special Projects in Heywood, said:
“We are proud to have been associated with this project. The restored and upgraded structure is truly remarkable and will now be enjoyed by the community for many years to come.
“This project has been a testament to BDB’s capabilities, and we are especially pleased to have maximised the involvement of the local supply chain, ensuring that as much investment as possible remained within the community. It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council to deliver the project safely and on schedule.”