Kepax Bridge big crane incredible aerial photos of work

Liam McLoughlin shared these drone photos of the massive crane from the air - the mobile crane is being used to build the Kepax Bridge across the River Severn in Worcester.

The project director for Heavy Lift shared the images via X (formerly Twitter) via his social media account (@HeavyLiftHQ).

He said: "Baldwins 1000te Capacity Mobile Crane, complete with an 84m Luffing Jib, prepares to lift the deck panels at a 78m Radius over the River Severn. Fantastic to supply a range of cranes on the Kepax Footbridge Project in Worcester."

TALL: The crane over Gheluvelt Park in Worcester as it builds the Kepax Bridge (Image: Liam McLoughlin @HeavyLiftHQ)

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.

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.

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."

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).

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

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.