Steel’s Severn crossing in the faithful city

Part of the local council’s commitment to deliver fully accessible, active travel infrastructure in locations that most need it, the Kepax Bridge provides a much-needed connection across the River Severn.

The 145m-long cable-stayed pedestrian and cycle bridge, which is named after the 19th century Kepax Ferry that once operated nearby, is already a local landmark.

Its ‘hockey stick’ deck alignment allows the structure to integrate with riverside pathways, while elevating key sections of the bridge above flood-prone areas.

The bridge’s eastern approach begins in the historic Gheluvelt Park, where its deck initially parallels with the river before curving westward to span the Severn. Anchored by a 29m-tall, A-shaped pylon, the slender steel structure is supported by a series of cables (spaced at 12m intervals) and piers.

“Structural steelwork was selected because it was well-suited to the segmental cantilever erection method used for constructing the bridge over the river,” explains James Hartland, principal bridge engineer at Jacobs.

“All of the components were lifted in from above, with a small pontoon used to provide access for bolt tightening. This approach helped minimise disruption to recreational river traffic and protected the sensitive ecology of the area.

“Steel also enabled faster and more flexible assembly of prefabricated elements, which were split into manageable pieces for delivery due to access constraints.”

The use of steelwork is said to have brought several other key benefits to the scheme. Its speed of erection helped shorten the construction programme and reduce associated risks, particularly important given the persistent threat of flooding.

Another benefit was the material’s adaptability, which allowed the fabricators to craft the steel sections into the required complex form. This geometry-driven design is shaped by numerous constraints including current and future flood levels, gentle gradients and ecology. Steelwork enabled a refined structural form that responded to all of these in an elegant and efficient way.

The client’s brief for the bridge was to connect communities and encourage sustainable transport. As a public infrastructure investment, the design represents good value over its 120-year design life. It anticipates increased flooding due to climate change and it will remain resilient and operational even in the worst conditions.

With minimal interference to the sensitive river landscape, the structure uses traditional materials sparingly and robustly (concrete below flood level and steel above). The design, which includes a slender deck and an efficient structural configuration, is said to contribute to minimal embodied carbon.

Finished in a dark blue-green hue, the bridge mimics the palette of its natural surroundings, while its ribbed soffit highlights the structure’s sweeping geometry when viewed from below.

The 4m-wide crossing, which features a slip-resistant walking surface, has been designed to comfortably accommodate both leisure users and commuters. Meanwhile, a crafted parapet, composed of inward-leaning stainless-steel rods, provides safety for cyclists and pedestrians along the deck.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, cabinet member for Highways and Transport at Worcestershire County Council, says: “The bridge is iconic and the natural beauty of the city is really visible from it. The contractors did a fantastic job and I would like to say thank you to everyone who has made the vision a reality.”

Produced by BCSA and Steel for Life in association with Construction Management.