Bridge installed for new marina materials transport

A new bridge to be put in place this week in Northampton links an island to the river bank so building materials for a marina can be carried across.

The project is under way at Becket's Park where the 24m-long (79ft) structure will cross the River Nene.

A 200-tonne telescopic crane will manoeuvre the bridge into position.

A brick and timber-clad building will be built on the island to house the marina manager's office as well as washrooms and a laundry for boaters.

Planning permission was granted last August. The building expected to be opened in July.

The marina itself will be open to boats at Easter although facilities will be limited to water and electricity supplies until the new building is completed, the Environment Agency said.

Paul Arnold, of the Environment Agency, is project manager for the marina development.

He said: "The facilities building will form one of the last pieces of a jigsaw which has seen a former boating lake transformed into a modern marina.

"Northampton Marina will help to put the town on the boating map and the sight of this long structure being swung into position by a very large crane should be very impressive."