Runcorn & Widnes Weekly News

Drone captures Gateway progress

- BY OLIVER CLAY oliver.clay@trinitymir­ror.com @OliverClay­RWWN

STUNNING drone footage has captured the aerial view of the progress being made on the Mersey Gateway bridge between Runcorn and Widnes.

The clip, recorded last month, gives an idea of the scale of the project and team working on it.

A Merseylink consortium spokesman said hundreds of staff are pressing on to make sure it opens as planned in autumn.

The film follows the bridge’s route from north to south, starting at the north approach viaduct in Widnes as it crosses the saltmarsh, across the River Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal to the constructi­on of the Astmoor Viaduct in Runcorn.

The colossal bridge-building machines and huge cranes being used across the main bridge site are clearly visible as the gaps between the road deck start to ● close.

The footage also shows spectacula­r views of the Mersey Estuary and the Silver Jubilee Bridge.

Drone operators have been told by Merseylink that there are regulation­s in place governing the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and that unauthoris­ed flying in a public place or around a constructi­on site could lead to the operator being arrested.

The Mersey Gateway Project ● team issued a warning about dangers caused by drones 18 months ago. The spokesman said the team has been very pleased there have been no significan­t incidents since then.

Hugh O’Connor, Merseylink general manager, said: “I’m hugely proud of the work that our team has delivered on this project and this film really shows the scale of the work we are undertakin­g right in the middle of the river.

“It’s great to see it brought to life in this way.”

Cllr Rob Polhill, Halton Borough Council leader, said: “The scale of this project is phenomenal and this new drone footage also shows what a stunning new landmark we are creating for the whole of North West England.”

Watch the footage at www.runcornand­widnesweek­lynews. co.uk

 ?? DTW and I-Sky Unmanned Systems ?? Stunning new drone footage shows the pace of progress on the Mersey Gateway bridge has been released
DTW and I-Sky Unmanned Systems Stunning new drone footage shows the pace of progress on the Mersey Gateway bridge has been released
 ??  ?? Work is continuing apace on the Mersey Gateway bridge
Work is continuing apace on the Mersey Gateway bridge
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 ??  ?? The Gateway’s struts
The Gateway’s struts

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