How easy is putting up a temporary footbridge?

[BuiIdingBridges]

An events venue near me are claiming to be building a temporary footbridge over a major river to accommodate a huge event. This event is quite controversial locally due to the potential for huge traffic problems, and apparently this bridge will allow between 40-50000 pedestrians to cross the river for a long weekend without the local road network needing to be used.

The river is 60m wide at this point, deep/fast, and well used by boats and kayaks. It's also in an AONB and the whole river itself is a SSSI so it's notoriously very hard to do anything that might affect it (even much smaller projects).

I'm being asked by the local residents association to sign a letter against this event (due to the potential traffic chaos) but I'm trying to work out if it's viable or not first. If this bridge is really buildable then it would solve the issue and I don't want to be a NIMBY but it does seem like a very big project and if it can't be done then I am very much against the event taking place at all!

It does reek of bullshit doesn't it? Like maybe they'll express shock later that it is not possible but oh well the event has permission to go ahead now.

Could they be asked to produce detailed costing and plans?

That is my concern!

Is there a planning application in place?

What does your local councillor/MP know about it? If you have it in writing, definitely pass it on, if they just said it, record it down as a statement as you heard it - if it's third hand information then it's probably nonsense.

Building a pedestrian footbridge over a river does have a bouncy bollocks feeling about it, but who knows!!

No - there is no planning application for it, but I'm not sure temporary structures need planning permission as such, do they? This information came from a town councillor in the first place who said on Facebook that bridges were going to be built to solve the traffic issue.

Depends on if its a military style one, I'm sure the Royal Engineers can Jimmy one up sharpish so it probably is possible and the tech probably does exist.

Whether it fits the councils planning etc is another matter.

I'd take a screen shot of the statements on Facebook, and then email the planning department for clarification about whether planning permission would be needed.

It's possible to build a temporary bridge, but the permissions needed, access required, rights of way, the marshalling, the build, disturbance to any wildlife make it unlikely to be completed quickly or painlessly.

I don’t believe for a second that bridge can or will be built. That’s a huge amount of work and cost.

Even a temporary structure and without a planning permission requirement will need Natural England consent if on a SSSI

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/request-permission-for-works-or-an-activity-on-an-sssi

Ask to see their consent or letter of exemption, or ask the councillor if they have seen it.

I think that the environment agency will also be interested in these plans.

Right on cue I've just been notified of a public meeting next week with the organisers so if I can get a babysitter I'll go along and ask some questions!

For large events I've been to there are pedestrian bridges constructed across roads for crowds to cross without the event being disrupted. London marathon, Cycle events etc.

They aren't a massive span though - usually 2-3 lanes of traffic wide. Very stable and built from scaffolding like stuff.

So may well be possible practically.

There is a big event held regularly near me which requires a footpath to be rerouted and a temporary bridge to go in. They use a pontoon type thing which is lots of floating squares joined together. It seems to go up and down very quickly. However, your river sounds deeper and wider with more potential foot traffic.

Large, fast flowing river, temporary footbridge, presumably potentially fairly drunk event attendees unfamiliar with the area. What could possibly go wrong.

Ask them for their risk assessment of the bridge. Ask for examples of when it has been done before over a similar river.

Natural England is a better bet, Environment Agency unlikely to be involved unless the structure is directly impedes or pollutes the water course. In the latter case their work is generally reactive not proactive. The SSSI likely to be a more productive route if the footings of the bridge or work to construct it land inside the boundary or the whole event are a concern in the impact zone.

@BuiIdingBridges you can look up the SSSI details on line, look at the citation (what it was designated to protect), the site map and check the Operations Likely to Damage (OLD) list. Might help you target you questions authoritatively and put the wind up em

https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk

There's always a bridge constructed over the river specifically to take fans from north of the river campsites to Reading Festival. AFAIK (not that local) it cuts masses of traffic from crossing the (two) road bridges in Reading itself, and reduces on street parking overall, all the campervans are north of the river.
I do know they close the river to traffic in the evening, during a period from 7pm to midnight while it goes in/is taken out. Doesn't cause much disruption, as they do let people through when safe to do so.
https://www.kinglifting.co.uk/2024/08/28/installation-of-reading-festival-pedestrian-bridge/

I think it could be plausible. I've been to 2 festivals where they've built a temporary footbridge over a river and a main A road out of scaffolding which was then dismantled after the event. Both of these festivals were 30k and 12k capacity. I think Reading festival also builds temporary bridges over the river by the car park. That has capacity of 80k attendees.

Oh. And another thing OP. If the event requires planning permission check that they have secured a Biodiversity Net Gain exemption, if they haven’t then get someone to have a good look at their metric calculations. If they have secured an exemption have a good look at that too, make sure they’re entitled to it.

Yes it’s possible, it happens for Reading festival, but would depend on consent if there’s protected sites there.

I don't want to stop the bridge being built or anything like that! I just want to be sure it really is feasible because if it doesn't get built then I am very much against the event.

I didn't know about Reading festival having a temporary bridge so that's interesting. Looks to be a similar size to what would be needed here so clearly it is possible. Though it seems the Reading one has permanent supports built and I don't think that would be possible here due to be being a protected area.

OKdoke then! My pique was interested by your mention of the SSSI. But to echo the others I’ve been on some very substantial temporary bridges (with tanks and supply trucks going over) so not outside the realm of possibility that this can be done safely.

No I get what you meant. The details of exactly what permissions they'd need are actually very useful as it gives me pointers for what to ask in this public meeting. I don't want a situation where people support it on the basis of this promised bridge and then it suddenly becomes impossible to build the bridge due to factors like the SSSI and we are lumbered with this huge event and no bridge to prevent gridlock!

Are you the person who posted about the festival?

It definitely sounds buildable. I’ve done a few of these, some for utilities, some for pedestrian access. All across rivers and canals in SSSI areas.

Gotcha @BuiIdingBridges Check the SSSI map and make sure that the footings for the bridge are entirely outside the boundaries and that steps will be taken to avoid impact on the protected site.

Of course it’s feasible. It happens a lot.

And right on cue, an expert arrives @Plaided I truly believe there is a woman on mn who can answer any question with knowledge and experience!