Over 60 local school children have captured the moment a 600 tonne crane lifted sections of a new bridge into place on the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road in their artwork.
Two classes from Queensgate Primary School were invited by the contractor, a Carillion and Morgan Sindall joint venture, to see the building of the new Woodford Road bridge in Bramhall near to their school for themselves.
Pupils had the chance to find out about what was happening from the Carillion Morgan Sindall team; get their questions answered and see seven concrete beams, weighing 77 tonnes each, being lifted into place by a large crane. After the visit, the children drew pictures of what they saw which will be displayed on site. The aim of the visit was to provide children with an exciting and enjoyable experience whilst also inspiring them to think more about science and engineering.
Sue Challinor, Headteacher at Queensgate Primary School said “Part of the new road is being constructed close to our school playing fields. The children have been very interested to see a number of cranes operating close by and in addition have been fascinated by the growing “mountain of earth” as the digging continues. We were delighted to be invited to watch the amazing work at first hand. All the children and staff thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to look at the work taking place and listen to the experts who explained what was happening.”
“It’s great to hear about young people being inspired by the work taking place on the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road. This was a fantastic opportunity for them to take what they’d learnt in the classroom and see it in action, I’m sure it is something many of the children will remember for a long time,” commented Councillor Alex Ganotis, Leader of Stockport Council.
The successful bridge construction marked a key point in work on the 10 km A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road and comes as the half-way point on the project is marked.
Work on the relief road has made significant progress over recent months. The construction of the new road, junctions and bridges is now underway along the length of the route, following the completion of the environmental mitigation works. Work remains on schedule with the road due to open in autumn 2017.
Copies of the artwork as well as a time lapse video of the bridge construction and updates about work taking place over the coming months can be found online at www.semmms.info
Carillion Morgan Sindall would welcome invitations from other local schools to talk about the project.
