Temporary bridge utilised during refurbishments to 13th century listed bridge

Otley, Leeds

Project Overview

Location	Otley, Leeds
Sector	Highways
Products	Compact 200

After concerns were raised around Otley Footbridge’s structural condition, Leeds City Council made the decision to replace the pedestrian bridge with a new structure. To minimise the disruption to the local community during the works, we were contracted by Balfour Beatty to design, supply and install a 62-metre span temporary bridge.

Otley Bridge, located in West Yorkshire, was originally built in 1229 and has undergone several repairs and extensions over the centuries, including widening in the 18th century and the addition of a pedestrian walkway in 1957. In 2023, Leeds City Council identified structural issues with the existing footbridge and commissioned Balfour Beatty to replace it, with Mabey Hire appointed to design, supply, and install a temporary pedestrian bridge to maintain access.

The challenge

Maintaining Public Access

The bridge’s central location and daily commuter use required a safe and reliable temporary crossing to remain open throughout the construction period.

Restricted Site Conditions

Limited access around the bridge and over the River Wharfe created logistical challenges for transporting and installing temporary works.

Service Diversions

The diversion of live utilities and services across the temporary bridge had to be carefully managed, requiring a robust modular design that ensured stability and compliance with safety standards.

Our solution

Our engineering team designed a bespoke temporary pedestrian bridge using the Compact 200 (C200) modular system, a heavy-duty steel structure with interchangeable components and mesh infill panels to ensure safety and prevent debris from falling. This adaptable design allowed the bridge to be tailored to the site’s constraints while providing a robust and accessible crossing for the public. The bridge also incorporated ramps and pathways to ensure full accessibility, meeting the requirements set by Balfour Beatty and Leeds City Council.

Learn more about Heavy Duty Compact 200

With extremely limited working space on both riverbanks, our in-house installation team developed a meticulously phased approach, scheduling deliveries outside peak hours and assembling the bridge in seven controlled stages.

The first ten bridge bays were assembled on the south bank, lifted into position with a 300-tonne crane, and gradually launched across the River Wharfe using a pre-constructed pier as the central support. Once in place, access ramps were installed at both ends to maintain safe pedestrian flow. The operation was completed efficiently and collaboratively, ensuring continuous public access until the new permanent footbridge opens in Autumn 2025.

Get in touch

“The installation was successful, with collaboration from Mabey Hire enabling us to quickly and efficiently design, lift and launch the bridge, maintaining pedestrian access across the river.”

Daniel Barnes

Project Manager / Balfour Beatty