CONSTRUCTION teams helped by a 1,000-tonne crane have moved the final section of the Kepax Bridge into place - meaning it now spans across the River Severn.

The 12-tonne section of the steel path was raised into the air around 8.40am and was in place less than 15 minutes later.

The final section was hit by delays on Wednesday (July 10) due to poor weather, but clear conditions gave the perfect opportunity, as Mark Mills, client project manager for Worcestershire County Council, said: "We've managed to get a fair wind this morning, so we've got an early start and we've put the final section into place.

"Yesterday, everything was lined up but, unfortunately, the Great British weather beat us."

The 1,000-tonne crane used to manoeuvre the section can reach up to 128 meters high when fully extended. Mr Mills said: "We've needed a larger crane because of the reach. 

"The further you have to reach, the more counterweight you have on the back of the crane."

Getting such a large piece of machinery to the site was a difficult task, with the narrow residential streets in Barbourne representing a challenge for the team.

Mr Mills expressed his gratitude to residents in the area: "I'd like to thank the residents who have been really helpful with moving their cars and giving us the clearway to move all the machinery into place."

Parking on the streets surrounding the site has been suspended between 9am and 5pm on Friday (July 12) and Monday (July 15) to move the cranes out of the city.

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Despite the bridge now spanning from Gheluvelt park  to St John's, there is still much to be done before cyclists and pedestrians can cross: "We've got all the additional pieces that go on the bridge like the handrailing and the lights.

"We've also got a lot of tidying up in Gheluvelt Park, which has got to be turned back to the park that people love and use.

"The work doesn't stop yet, but it's nice to see that final piece of the bridge finally in place."

The crew are aiming for the project to be completed in the Autumn.