Howley Suspension Bridge Gets a Refresh
02 March 2026
Bagnalls is pleased to count Warrington Borough Council as one of our valued customers, as it means we get to work on exciting projects such as this one!
Our team was given the task of prepping and painting the Howley Suspension Bridge, piers and suspension elements, ensuring that this footbridge crossing the River Mersey looks its very best.
A Grade II-listed structure, the bridge was originally built in 1912 and features intricate wrought iron metalwork. As Howley Suspension Bridge is such a popular walkway, it was very important to ensure that all aspects of access and delivery were carefully planned and executed.
All works were carried out to a tight summer school shutdown timetable, agreed with Warrington Borough Council, to limit any inconvenience to the general public and ensure safety at all times.
Bagnalls also coordinated works with Tarmac, the contractor that our customer had appointed to install a new timber walkway and handrail along the bridge.
We utilised a birdcage scaffold to carry out the painting works on the two piers at either end of the bridge, while a suspended lightweight aluminium scaffold was used to access the length of the bridge span itself. All work was carried out by our fully trained and directly employed Bagnalls operatives.
Further precautions included a manned Safety Boat – present whenever any site personnel were erecting, moving and dismantling the scaffold and during general works – as well as full encapsulation of the scaffold, to prevent debris falling into the river below.
Due to loading restrictions on the bridge, only six operatives were able to work on the main section at any one time, with the work carried out in six weekly phases.
Over this time period, the Bagnalls team prepped all surfaces and applied the chosen colour scheme, using the agreed upon four-coat system.
The bespoke scaffold programme was produced to allow the works to be carried out within the tight time constraints and to the high standard that Bagnalls is known for, while also considering all safety and structural concerns.
This completed project boasts a finish that enhances the original architectural features of the beautiful period footbridge and was reopened on time, as requested by Warrington Borough Council. If you have a local authority project you would like our expert assistance with us, get in touch with your nearest branch today. Or, if your project spans the whole of the UK, speak to our National Painting Division, to take advantage of our unique, centrally managed approach.