Proposed footbridge across the River Lagan, Belfast

Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   Text © Copyright January 2014, Albert Bridge; licensed for re-use under a Creative Commons Licence.
Images also under a similar Creative Commons Licence.


On 22 January 2014 the Department for Regional Development (DRD) announced its intention to proceed with public consultation about the construction of a new footbridge, across the River Lagan, connecting the Gasworks to the Ormeau Embankment.
A DRD press release dated 7 January 2015 included the following: The proposed bridge is a 141 metre long cable stayed bridge designed for use by pedestrians and cyclists. It will have a steel deck and 40 metre high steel towers which will be constructed close to the banks of the River Lagan, leaving the main central section of the river free from obstruction. . . . . It will also include a pedestrian and cycle crossing on Ormeau Embankment Road to allow access into Ormeau Park . . . . the preferred design is the least expensive of the three options and is expected to have the least environmental impact during construction. In addition, the steel towers will be built close to the banks of the river which will minimise the impact on the river.
My understanding is that Option 3 Revision A is the one picked as the final version. Option 10 was similar but with the bridge extending across the Ormeau Embankment into Ormeau Park. A link LinkExternal link (working on 12 January 2015 but which might become broken as the scheme proceeds) showing the ten options considered and the feasibility reports.
This is a collection of photographs intending to show the area before, during and after the works. It appears as a neutral matter of geographical and historical record only. I have no connection with the DRD, Belfast City Council, any company, engineer, designer or other body connected with the scheme. I have no opinion, for or against, the proposal or any of the designs.
First prepared 27 January 2014.

Updated 12 January 2015 – new photographs: Ravenhill Reach

J3473 : Proposed River Lagan (Gasworks) footbridge, Belfast - January 2015(1) by Albert Bridge J3473 : Proposed River Lagan (Gasworks) footbridge, Belfast - January 2015(2) by Albert Bridge

11 January 2015

Ravenhill Reach
J3473 : Proposed River Lagan (Gasworks) footbridge, Belfast - January 2015(1) by Albert Bridge J3473 : Proposed River Lagan (Gasworks) footbridge, Belfast - January 2015(2) by Albert Bridge

21 November 2014

Test boring, Ormeau Embankment
J3473 : Test boring, Ormeau Embankment, Belfast (November 2014) by Albert Bridge

20 November 2014

Survey barge, Ravenhill Reach
J3473 : Survey barge, River Lagan, Belfast - November 2014(5) by Albert Bridge J3473 : The "Cranagh Star", River Lagan, Belfast - November 2014(3) by Albert Bridge J3473 : Survey barge, River Lagan, Belfast - November 2014(6) by Albert Bridge


A feasibility report dated 17 April 2014, prepared by the DRD, includes the following:
5.10 Geology and Soils
Within the study area the underlying bedrock is Sherwood Sandstone, which is overlain by superficial deposits of raised marine alluvial clays, overlying glacial sands and silts.
The superficial deposits along the riverbanks are likely to be contaminated especially on the Gasworks side of the river. The sediment on the river bed is also contaminated with PCBs. There are a number of potentially contaminated sites within the vicinity of the scheme.
The foundations for all bridge options would need to be piled due to the extent of the tidal mud flats, the soft alluvial deposits and the depths to competent rock which appears to range from 7.4m to a depth of 15m in the vicinity of the Ormeau Embankment. Piling has the potential to result in disturbance of contaminated sediments on the riverbed and on the riverbanks, as well as potentially creating preferential pathways for release of contaminants.


14 November 2014

Survey barge, Ravenhill Reach
J3473 : Survey barge, River Lagan, Belfast - November 2014(4) by Albert Bridge


12 November 2014

Survey barge, Ravenhill Reach
J3473 : Survey barge, River Lagan, Belfast - November 2014(3) by Albert Bridge


10 November 2014

Survey barge, Ravenhill Reach slipway
J3473 : Survey barge, River Lagan, Belfast - November 2014(2) by Albert Bridge J3473 : The "Cranagh Star", River Lagan, Belfast - November 2014(2) by Albert Bridge


1 November 2014

Survey barge near McConnell’s Weir
J3473 : Survey barge, River Lagan, Belfast - November 2014(1) by Albert Bridge


27 January 2014

J3473 : Proposed footbridge across the River Lagan, Belfast - January 2014 (1) by Albert Bridge J3473 : Path, River Lagan, Ravenhill Reach, Belfast - January 2014 by Albert Bridge J3473 : The Ormeau Embankment, Belfast - January 2014 by Albert Bridge

River Lagan

J3473 : Winter morning, River Lagan, Belfast by Albert Bridge (February 2013) the proposed footbridge bridge would cross the Lagan in the lower half of this view from the Albert Bridge.
J3473 : Dredging the River Lagan, Belfast -  2010/11 (75) by Albert Bridge (November 2010) the proposed footbridge would be visible at middle/top in this view of the Cromac Lock.
J3473 : McConnell's weir, Belfast by Albert Bridge (May 2008) the proposed footbridge would be visible in the background of this view of McConnell’s Weir.
J3473 : Reflections by Brian Shaw (November 2005) the proposed footbridge would cross the Lagan at the middle/right in this view.
J3473 : Call centre, Belfast by Rossographer (June 2009) the proposed footbridge would cross the Lagan in the middle of this photograph.

Walkway

J3473 : Footbridge, Lagan walkway, Belfast by Albert Bridge (December 2009) the proposed footbridge bridge would start, close to the Gasworks, at the upper right in this view.

Other similar bridges

In alphabetical order
Aberfeldy
NN8549 : Aberfeldy Golf Course bridge by Andrew Curtis NN8549 : Plastic footbridge over River Tay by John M
Dublin
O1634 : Sean O'Casey footbridge by Oliver Dixon O1634 : The southern end of the Sean O'Casey Bridge by Eric Jones
Gateshead
NZ2563 : Boat sailing under the Millennium Bridge by Barbara Carr NZ2563 : Gateshead Millennium Bridge by Richard Howell NZ2563 : Millennium Bridge, North Pier by Stephen Horncastle NZ2563 : View from the Gateshead Millennium Bridge by Paul Harrop NZ2563 : The Millennium Bridge by Andy Beecroft
Glasgow
NS5765 : Clyde Arc / Squinty Bridge by Gareth James NS5764 : Clyde Arc, Glasgow by Johnny Durnan NS5765 : The Clyde Arc by Thomas Nugent NS5765 : Glasgow: the Clyde Arc by Chris Downer NS5765 : The Clyde Arc Bridge by Champots
London
TQ3280 : The Millennium Bridge, London by Peter Trimming TQ3280 : Across the Millennium Bridge, London, SE1 by Christine Matthews TQ3280 : Under the Millennium Bridge, London, SE1 by Christine Matthews TQ3280 : The Millennium Bridge, London by Peter Trimming TQ3280 : Millennium Bridge, London by Christine Matthews TQ3280 : The Millennium Bridge and St Paul's Cathedral by Philip Halling
Londonderry
C4317 : Peace bridge, Derry / Londonderry (15) by Kenneth  Allen C4316 : Peace Bridge, Derry / Londonderry by Kenneth  Allen C4316 : Peace Bridge, Derry / Londonderry by Kenneth  Allen
Salford/Manchester
SJ8398 : Trinity Footbridge and Lowry Hotel by David Dixon SJ8398 : The new Irwell footbridge Manchester by Steve  Fareham SJ8398 : Lowry Hotel and Trinity Footbridge by Gerald England
Stockton-on-Tees
NZ4418 : Teesquay Millennium Bridge, Stockton by Dave Eagle NZ4418 : Teesquay Millennium Footbridge by Mick Garratt
Swansea
SS6692 : Sail Bridge - Swansea by Mick Lobb SS6692 : Swansea through the sail bridge by David Luther Thomas SS6692 : Swansea: Sail Bridge by Martin Bodman SS6692 : Sail bridge by Chris Andrews
Worcester
SO8453 : Worcester : Diglis Bridge & River Severn by Lewis Clarke SO8453 : River Severn,Diglis bridge by kevin skidmore SO8453 : New bridge taking shape by Andrew Darge
York
SE6050 : The Millennium Bridge, River Ouse, York by Peter Church SE6050 : Illuminated Millennium bridge by DS Pugh SE6050 : The Millennium Bridge, York by Peter Church SE6050 : The ups and downs on the Millennium Bridge by John M


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