Dartmoor National Park Authority
8 August 2007
Major replacement bridge project on Dartmoor
The site of the existing Clam Bridge in Lustleigh Cleave has been a point of access across the River Bovey for over 120 years. However, it has now become unsafe and work is required to provide a new bridge structure. In addition, other work associated with this important crossing place is being carried out.
This challenging project in a remote location is being undertaken by Dartmoor National Park Authority utilising a team of Rangers and Conservation Works Service staff, with additional assistance being provided by Devon County Council, South West Highways, RNAS Yeovilton, Joint Air Transport Evaluation Unit (JATEU), 42 Commando (Air Assault) Roborough, and with other military support provided through Okehampton Training Area. The work is being carried out with the support of Lustleigh and Manaton Parish Councils, Lustleigh Cleave Commoners’ Association and Natural England. Further on the ground help is being provided through John Bunce, Horse Logger.
The current bridge consists of two logs which have been sawn and cross hatched on their tops to allow grip on the surface, and each log has a handrail attached on the downstream side. Within the last thirty years each of the logs has been replaced at various times because of rot and loss of surface area.
Over the past couple of years the logs have deteriorated to the extent where many people, particularly dog walkers and families with small children, find it difficult to get across. The new bridge structure will resolve access and general safety issues. Devon County Council has designed and funded the new bridge and will take on the task of its maintenance.
As well as the need for a new bridge, the current fording area used by horseriders has become difficult to use. Over the years rocks have been washed downstream and become embedded in the fording area, making it very difficult for horses to cross the river. Natural England has agreed to create a permissive bridleway link to a new fording place approximately 100m upstream of the bridge which will link to the existing Water to Clam Bridge bridleway. This will be created in September, after the completion of the bridge.
Rob Taylor, Sector Ranger, Dartmoor National Park Authority, said:
“This project is about creating improved access in the Bovey Valley as well as continuing and building on existing working relations with a variety of organisations and the local community.”
ENDS
For further information
Rob Taylor, Sector Ranger, Dartmoor National Park Authority
tel: mobile: 07711104542 (available from 13 August 2007)
Ian Brooker, Senior Ranger, Dartmoor National Park Authority (tel: mobile: 07720509273 (available from 13 August 2007)
Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority tel: (01626) 832093 (available from 14 August 2007)
Notes for Editors
1.Schedule of Works
23rd and 24th July 2007
Site preparation carried out by 42 Commando (Air Assault) Roborough and included digging holes for concrete abutments. Because of the natural and historic sensitivity of the site use of machinery was avoided and the holes were dug out by muscle-power alone.
14th August 2007
Delivery of up to 35 tons of aggregate and associated building equipment to site by RNAS Yeovilton, MAOT (Mobile Air Operations Team) and 846 Helicopter Squadron.
Mid August – late September 2007
South West Highways will be on site to build the abutments after the delivery of aggregate. This process will hopefully take no longer than 5-6 weeks.
Once the abutments have set, the Joint Air Transport Evaluation Unit (JATEU) will deliver four steel beams (13.4 and 9.3m) onto the abutments.
John Bunce, from Chulmleigh in Devon, heavy horse driver and member of the British Horse Loggers, will transport all the wooden cladding, handrails, kick rails, bolts etc. by heavy horse and horse drawn forwarder once the beams have been placed.
2. About 18 months ago Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) held informal open meetings with the parishioners of Lustleigh and Manaton and the Parish Councils to engage opinion on the possibility of a new structure across the River Bovey at the existing bridge site. As a result of this worthwhile consultation, improved plans for a footbridge, and a proposed new fording area and permissive link for horses, was agreed, and these were subsequently approved by the Environment Agency.
3. It was also agreed that the existing Clam Bridge would stay in place because of its historical significance and that the maintenance of it would be taken over by the Parish Councils.
Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are available on the Authority's website. The Agendas are placed on the Authority's web site 7 days in advance of the meetings.
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This page last updated 10 August 2007
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