20 Years On – A Bespoke 18m ATV Bridge on the Norfolk–Suffolk Border

Twenty years after installing one of our steel bridges on a beautiful rural estate on the Norfolk–Suffolk border, Coulson’s Bridges was invited back to replace it with a new, larger bespoke bridge.

The original bridge had served the property for two decades, but the client’s requirements had changed. The new bridge needed a wider deck capable of providing safe and practical access for an ATV quad bike, while still complementing its rural surroundings.

The Challenge

The existing bridge had originally been designed primarily for pedestrian access. With the estate now requiring regular ATV access across the water, a considerably wider and more substantial replacement was needed.

At 18 metres long and 1.5 metres wide, the new bridge needed to provide the strength and width required for an ATV while maintaining the attractive appearance expected from a bespoke Coulson’s bridge.

The considerable 18-metre span also meant that careful consideration had to be given to the bridge’s construction, transportation and installation.

The Solution

We designed and manufactured a bespoke 18-metre steel and Accoya timber bridge, combining the structural strength of steel with the attractive appearance and durability of Accoya.

The 1.5-metre-wide deck provides generous clearance for an ATV quad bike, transforming the crossing from predominantly pedestrian access into a practical route for maintaining and accessing the surrounding land.

Using steel for the main structural elements provided the strength required for the long span and increased loading, while the Accoya timber elements give the bridge a high-quality natural finish that sits comfortably within the rural landscape.

Giving the Original Bridge a New Home

Replacing the original bridge did not mean that its working life had come to an end.

Having served our customer for around 20 years, the existing steel bridge was still suitable for use elsewhere. We were able to help the customer by finding a new buyer for the old bridge, giving it the opportunity to continue its working life at a new location.

This provided an additional benefit for our original customer while also avoiding a perfectly usable structure simply being dismantled for scrap.

For us, it was particularly satisfying to see a bridge we had built two decades earlier move on to serve another customer — a great example of the longevity and value of a well-made bridge.

Installation

With a bridge of this length and construction, installation required careful planning.

Our team carried out the installation using an overhead crane, allowing the completed bridge structure to be carefully lifted, positioned and lowered onto its prepared supports.

Seeing an 18-metre bridge suspended in the air before being lowered into its final position made for an impressive installation — but, more importantly, the crane allowed the bridge to be positioned safely and accurately.

Returning 20 Years Later

One of the most satisfying aspects of this project was returning to replace a bridge that Coulson’s Bridges had originally supplied and installed approximately 20 years earlier.

The requirements of the property had changed over those two decades, and rather than simply reproducing the original bridge, we were able to design its replacement around the way the crossing is used today.

The result is a much wider and more capable bridge, designed to provide both pedestrian and ATV access while retaining the character and craftsmanship of a bespoke bridge.

The Finished Result

The completed bridge provides an impressive 18-metre crossing with a 1.5-metre-wide deck, combining steel construction with Accoya timber to create a bridge that is both practical and attractive.

Most importantly, the new bridge gives the client the ATV access they required, making it considerably easier to move people, equipment and vehicles around the property.

For us, the project was also a reminder of what we aim to achieve with every bridge we build: creating bespoke structures that become a lasting and useful part of the landscape.

Twenty years after installing the original bridge, we were delighted to return and build its successor — and we hope this one will be serving the property for many years to come.