Welcome for Webster - the bridge giant
WIDNES schoolchildren have named a giant machine that is going build a Mersey Gateway bridge approach road in Runcorn.
Lunt’s Heath Primary School’s pupils won a Halton-wide competition when they impressed construction teams with their winning entry, ‘Webster’
The device will construct the elevated south approach viaduct in Runcorn.
Pupils and teachers joined construction teams on site on Tuesday for a ceremony where the huge, red machine was officially named.
‘Webster’ was picked in memory of John James Webster, a civil engineer from Warrington who designed and built the old Transporter bridge.
Construction joint venture Merseylink invited primary schools from across the borough to take part in the competition to name the machine.
A Mersey Gateway spokeswoman said that many names were submitted including Destiny, Optimus, Infinity, Horizon, Transformer and Goliath, but Webster was a firm favourite with the project team because of its unique connection.
Lunt’s Heath teacher Jill Irlam said: “The children had been studying the bridge and the River Mersey and were asked to suggest a name as part of their English homework.
“The whole year group really engaged with the bridge topic last term and were all very pleased when they heard we had won the competition, they all cheered when it was announced.”
Year 6 pupils Anastacia Murphy and Mia Harding, both 10, attended the naming with head teacher Andy Williams and class teacher Sue Pugh.
Anastacia, who submitted the name Webster, said: “I was shocked and amazed that my name had been chosen.”
Mia said: “The new bridge is fantastic and it’s really exciting to see the new machine and bridge close up.”
MSS Webster is the same specification as Trinity, the orange machine building the north approach viaduct in Widnes.
Each is 515ft in length, about the length of one-and-a-half football pitches, is 26ft high and 72ft across at its widest point.
The machines act as giant concrete moulds for the roadway of the approach viaducts.
Webster was assembled about 41ft above the ground around the first pier of the south approach viaduct, involving the project’s biggest crane lift to hoist the two main girder sections into position.
Hugh O’Connor, Merseylink general manager, said: “This is a very exciting and historic time, especially for local children who are growing up with the bridge, so we thought it would be great to get Halton’s schools involved.
“We’ve had some fantastic entries, but with such a special local engineering connection, Webster was the clear winner.”
Cllr Rob Polhill, Halton Borough Council leader, said: “Webster is a great name for the new MSS as it really captures the borough’s engineering legacy, noting its past while highlighting innovative technology of the present.”