Lanes Group wins Wear Bridge job

Lanes Group has won a contract to deliver specialist drainage services for the joint venture constructing the new Wear Bridge in Sunderland.

The three-span cable stay bridge, which is due to open in spring 2018, will also open up new development sites at either end, creating opportunities for job-creation and housing.

Trevor Sawyer, area development manager for the Lanes Newcastle depot, said: "It's a privilege to be working on a project that will bring so many benefits to hundreds of thousands of people across the North East.”

"Our experience providing specialist drainage support for major highways schemes in the North East will stand us in good stead, and we are looking forward to playing our part in creating the new Wear crossing."

Lanes drainage engineers have already begun work on the £117.6m project. Tasks carried out include desilting drainage pipes and carrying out CCTV drainage surveys.

The New Wear Bridge will be 336 metres long and will have a central A-frame cable pylon rising to 105 metres - twice the height of Nelson's column, and higher than Big Ben.