'Lift and shift' bridge installed at Shropshire rail crossing

The first prototype was built at a test centre in Long Marston, Warwickshire, in June 2021.

A new footbridge is being installed at what was formerly described as a dangerous level crossing in Shropshire.

It is the first of its type in the county and the so-called Flow bridge, at Wistanstow, near Craven Arms, is made of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP).

It does not need concrete foundations and is half the weight of a traditional steel bridge.

One of the designers said it had built-in sensors and could be moved elsewhere if it was not used enough.

It is due to open on 16 December and Network Rail said the design meant the most dangerous level crossings could be quickly replaced.

These kinds of bridges weigh less than traditional ones and do not need concrete foundations

Andy Cross, the concept designer for Network Rail, said he went into the project "with an open mind" and wanted to give communities "something better than the old steel bridges that you see dotted around the country".

Network Rail said FRP bridges cost less to install, had lower transportation costs and did not require railway lines to be closed while they were installed.

Mr Cross said he was experimenting to use naturally occurring flax fibres in its construction and was looking at creating new variants with lifts and ramps.

He also said the bridge had in-built monitors to report its condition and use.

If it was not being used enough, he said Network Rail could decide to "lift and shift it to somewhere where it is more needed" and said that was better than "having a bridge sitting there for another 100 odd years doing nothing".

Flow stands for fibre reinforced polymer, lower cost, optimised design, working bridge.