A MASSIVE crane now dominates the skyline and is visible for miles around as a project to build a bridge in Worcester reaches an important new milestone.

The crane, essential to the assembly of the Kepax Bridge in Gheluvelt Park in Barbourne in Worcester, towers over the city and can be seen for miles around.

Workers said the crane, which was hoisted up using two smaller cranes, has a lifting power of 1,000 tonnes and is among the biggest in Europe.

It is expected the crane will begin lifting up sections of the bridge this afternoon or tomorrow.

Baldwins Crane Hire Ltd, which supplies the cranes, specialise in heavy lift designs with a fleet that range from 25 to 1,250 tonne lifting capacity.

IMPRESSIVE: Ian Palmer of Chanterelles Catering came out to have look at the giant crane in Gheluvelt Park for himself IMPRESSIVE: Ian Palmer of Chanterelles Catering came out to have look at the giant crane in Gheluvelt Park for himself (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Groups of people gathered to watch the crane being lifted into place on Tuesday and parking restrictions were placed on surrounding roads in Barbourne to keep the way clear during this vital phase of construction. 

Ian Palmer of Chanterelles Catering in Waterworks Road, said: "I think it's amazing - the technology and engineering. It's certainly the biggest crane I have ever seen. I would not be surprised if you can see it from the Malvern Hills."

IMPOSING: People watch the Baldwins crane going up in Gheluvelt Park in Barbourne in Worcester which is needed to build the Kepax Bridge IMPOSING: People watch the Baldwins crane going up in Gheluvelt Park in Barbourne in Worcester which is needed to build the Kepax Bridge (Image: Newsquest)

The bridge will run from Gheluvelt Park to the east of the river to the Kepax site in St John’s, to the west.

When it is finished, still scheduled for the end of this year, walkers and cyclists will be able to complete a 'figure-of-eight' route along the River Severn from the Diglis bridge in the south to the recently refurbished Sabrina Bridge near the city centre to the new bridge in the north (and back again).

Subcontractors, SH Structures, went into administration in April, leaving the main contractor, Alun Griffiths, to appoint a new one.

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However, a new sub-contractor to undertake the remaining steel work was appointed and welding of the pylon and curved section started on June 10.

Police cones and warning signs have been placed on several roads including Waterworks Road, Pope Iron Road by the Winning Post pub, Pitchcroft Lane and Barbourne Walk and Somers Road.

The signs say 'parking suspended: no waiting, no loading, no parking' between 9am and 5pm from July 1 to July 3. A symbol for a tow truck also appears on the sign.