Belper Bridge

CRL Delivers Historic Belper Bridge Repairs 

Belper Bridge, a Grade II listed triple-arched ashlar structure built in 1796 by Benjamin Marshall, spans the River Derwent in Derbyshire, carrying the A517 just below a series of weirs, retaining walls, and sluices.

Commissioned to safeguard the bridge’s heritage and structural integrity, CRL undertook a ten-week refurbishment programme, which involved repainting parapets, barrier guard rails, and cantilevered footway beams, waterproofing footways, carrying out masonry re-pointing with heritage-approved mortar, making minor concrete repairs, and resurfacing the carriageway.

Working over a live river presented a key challenge, so the project was phased to allow work on one arch at a time, ensuring uninterrupted water flow. Access was achieved through the installation of pontoons and a scaffold staircase designed to rise and fall with river levels, along with aluminium scaffold towers for I-beam works.

All steel elements were mechanically prepared, primed, undercoated, and finished with a durable topcoat, while footways were stripped of old membranes and treated with the Stirling Lloyd Bridge Master waterproofing system before receiving anti-carbonation coatings. Traffic and pedestrian management, including road and footpath closures, ensured safe access for workers while minimising disruption to the local community. The final stage involved planing the carriageway to a depth of 55mm, applying a bond coat, laying new asphalt, and reinstating line markings.

Throughout, CRL worked closely with the heritage society, local stakeholders, and the client to ensure compliance with conservation requirements while maintaining efficiency. Despite the technical and environmental challenges, the project was delivered in just nine weeks, protecting a vital piece of Derbyshire’s infrastructure and preserving an important part of the region’s history.

This successful outcome demonstrates CRL’s ability to combine modern engineering expertise with specialist heritage restoration skills, ensuring the long-term resilience of the UK’s historic bridges.