An 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 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.I’m
