Pont y Ddraig (Dragon Bridge)
Rhyl, Wales
The Ponty-y-Ddraig is a pedestrian and cycle bridge that was part of a large regeneration project in the Welsh seaside town of Rhyl.Overview
A car-free alternative to the nearby Blue Bridge, it serves as a crossing for pedestrians and cyclists across the River Clwyd – from Rhyl’s West Parade to a public area on the Kinmel Bay side of the river.
The Dragon Bridge consists of two 30m long decks weighing 8000kg, hinged on a central caisson and lifted simultaneously by cables running up to a 50m central mast. This means it can open several times a day, to give access to passing ships and yachts.
The project cost £4.3 million to construct and was funded by Denbighshire Council, a Lottery grant to Sustrans (a walking and cycling charity), the Welsh Government, and the tourism fund set up by RWE npower. Since its construction in 2013, the Dragon Bridge has improved access to Rhyl’s harbour areas and helped create a destination for locals and visitors to enjoy.
One important safety feature is the wire infill that runs along both sides of it. This type of balustrade is now a common sight on many of today’s bridges thanks to its ease of installation, marine-grade durability and an overall look that is consistent with modern trends in architecture.
The Products
Project Brief & Outcome
A main contractor approached SWR to provide the wire infill balustrade for the Dragon Bridge. Our solution was 8mm 1x19 stainless steel wire rope – cut to the lengths specified by our customers, and supplied in bespoke tension kits with rigging screws, forks and swage turnbuckles. Our Production Team also swaged the forks and turnbuckles onto the wire rope in our on-site facility – just one of many services we offer.
Despite the tight schedule, we delivered all tension kits to the customer well before the Grand Opening. We are proud of our contribution to such an important project and hope our wire infill balustrade remain a part of the Dragon Bridge for many years to come.
