A NEW canal footbridge has been lowered into place by a huge crane as part of the Weavers Triangle development.

The footbridge, which weighs 50 tons and spans over 50 metres, is at the heart of the On the Banks Development.

Barnfield Construction used a 500-tonne crane to lower the bridge into position, which took several hours to complete.

The bridge has been clad in glass and corten to align with the surrounding On The Banks development and to interact with the new public realm scheme which is currently under way.

The footbridge will incorporate LED lighting into the handrails, keeping with the mix of historic and modern features within the canalside development.

Burnley Council’s chief executive, Steve Rumbelow said: “It is wonderful to see the new bridge in position which signifies the second phase of works transforming the Weavers’ Triangle ‘On the Banks’ are well under way.”

Although the new footbridge is now in situ, it won’t be open to the public until the completion of the Sandygate Square, which will include a new amphitheatre and canalside terrace.

Gareth Smith, Barnfield’s project director, said: “This is another major milestone in a highly technical and difficult project that has delivered some fantastic outcomes in a difficult market.

“The designs for the bridge were thought over for a long time.

“But we are now con_fident that this is a fantastic addition to the ever growing On The Banks development”.