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Ainscough Crane Hire has played a pivotal role in the installation of the striking new footbridge in Haverfordwest town centre, a key milestone in Pembrokeshire County Council’s £25.4 million Heart of Pembrokeshire regeneration scheme.
The bridge – a 120-tonne structure with a distinctive “honeycomb” design inspired by the windows of Haverfordwest Castle and spanning the River Cleddau – was installed over the weekend of 16–17 August in an operation that drew large crowds to the town centre.
Working for principal contractor Walters on behalf of the manufacturer and installer Centregreat Engineering, Ainscough initially planned to supply its 750-tonne crane. However, after scheduling changes, the company collaborated with Allelys, deploying a Gottwald AK912 crane which was built by Ainscough’s Cardiff depot 230-tonne crane.
Following the assembly of the temporary works supports, the bridge was delivered to site in sections from Centregreat Engineering’s Cardiff workshops, assembled with a 220-tonne crane, and carefully lifted into place across the Western Quay and Riverside. The old 20-tonne footbridge was then removed to complete the operation.
Due to rising wind conditions, the main lift was brought forward from midnight to 8pm, allowing the installation to be completed safely and efficiently.
Alisdair Davies, Area Sales Manager, Ainscough Crane Hire said:
“This was a technically complex lift in the heart of Haverfordwest, carried out in challenging conditions. By working closely with Walters, Centregreat, Pembrokeshire County Council, and Allelys, we were able to deliver the operation smoothly and safely. It’s a privilege for Ainscough to be part of a project that will play such an important role in the regeneration of the town centre.”
The installation of the footbridge forms part of the wider transformation of Haverfordwest’s Western Quayside and public transport interchange, delivering improved connectivity and a revitalised town centre for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.
