Bridport Bridge for the Foundry Lea Sustainable Community

Our team have been busy working on the new Foundry Lea sustainable community development in Bridport, Dorset, ensuring a major piece of infrastructure comes together. Kemp has been part of this exciting project from the very start, delivering a range of expert surveying and setting out services that have helped keep construction on track.

Foundry Lea is a flagship development focused on building much-needed homes, public amenities, and transport links, all while respecting the natural surroundings. One of the main challenges? The development crosses the Simene River, which runs west to east through the centre of the site. To enable future road access, a robust and carefully planned bridge installation was essential for this project.

A total of ten prefabricated concrete arch sections, each weighing around 30 tonnes, were brought to site. Their installation required precision, coordination, and technical expertise. A mobile crane was used to lift and place each arch, but before that could happen, the exact positioning of the bridge base and support pads had to be set out with pinpoint accuracy.

That’s where our team came in. Our site engineer, Josh, has been working closely on the project, supporting key infrastructure works and overseeing the setting out of the first phase of housing. When it came to the bridge, Josh was responsible for marking out the foundations and levelling pads to make sure every arch was installed exactly as designed. With such heavy materials and a tight schedule, there was no room for error.

The arches needed to not only fit the base perfectly but also align seamlessly with one another to form a strong and stable structure. Thanks to detailed planning and precise execution, the installation went ahead smoothly.

Interestingly, the bridge won’t be visible once the road is complete. It will be completely buried, tucked away beneath the surface, blending into the surrounding landscape. This approach fits perfectly with the sustainable community ethos of Foundry Lea, creating vital infrastructure that works in harmony with the environment.

Kemp’s involvement goes beyond just the bridge. We’ve been supporting this project since 2023, when we carried out the initial boundary survey to define the development area. From there, we’ve continued to assist with topographic surveys, utility surveys, and full setting out services across the entire site.

This project is a great example of how Kemp supports large-scale construction, infrastructure and development from the ground up. Whether it’s surveying land, mapping underground services, or setting out critical structures like bridges, roads and houses, we make sure every element is installed with precision and care.

As Foundry Lea continues to take shape, we’re proud to be part of a development that will provide new homes, green spaces, and vital infrastructure for Bridport and the wider Dorset community.