A significant construction project has commenced with Balfour Beatty starting work on a footbridge at M25 Junction 10, Surrey.
- The initiative connects Byfleet and Wisley Common and is part of a £317M upgrade.
- The project requires complex engineering with aims to minimise public disruption despite closures.
- The previous bridge’s demolition introduced unprecedented full M25 closures this year.
- Future developments include the UK’s first heathland bridge for wildlife.
Balfour Beatty has embarked on a high-profile construction venture with the initiation of the Clearmount footbridge at M25 Junction 10 in Surrey. The project is a segment of a substantial three-year £317 million junction upgrade for National Highways. This undertaking seeks to enhance connectivity between Byfleet and Wisley Common, situated near the bustling M25 traffic artery, which this year alone has experienced three total closures due to these developments.
Incorporating advanced engineering strategies, the new steel footbridge spans 61 metres in length, with a width of 4.3 metres and a height of 2.6 metres, weighing over 130 tonnes when fully installed. Engineers at Balfour Beatty are focused on managing assembly and installation with minimal disruption to the travelling public. The closure of a section of the motorway earlier this year was necessary to facilitate the previous footbridge demolition, which resulted in the removal of 3,000 tonnes of material, cleared by 80 trucks over 24 hours. Despite the scale of the operation, the motorway reopened eight hours ahead of schedule, highlighting efficient project management.
The project additionally includes the installation of a 130-tonne gantry across the motorway’s width. This gantry, constructed concurrently with the bridge demolition, was successfully positioned with the aid of a 70-tonne crane, showcasing the project’s intricacy and operational dexterity.
As this construction continues, it is part of a broader £24 billion Road Investment Strategy (RIS2) led by the government, with Balfour Beatty in collaboration with AtkinsRéalis playing key roles. Two additional full motorway closures are anticipated next spring as the project advances. These efforts aim to augment traffic flow, improve safety, and facilitate access to surrounding areas such as Wisley, Pyrford, Old Byfleet, and RHS Garden Wisley.
A notable element of the future works involves introducing the UK’s inaugural heathland bridge, the Cockrow Green Bridge. This innovative structure will establish a safe, natural corridor for wildlife between Ockham and Wisley Commons, marking a significant advancement in ecological connectivity.
The M25 junction upgrade by Balfour Beatty marks a pivotal development in enhancing connectivity and infrastructure resilience.
