Temporary security barriers designed in Derbyshire to foil vehicle attacks on pedestrians have been pressed into action to help save an historic toll bridge from collapse.
Five SecuriPods, which are the brainchild of Ashbourne-based Securiscape, have now been positioned across the road to block access leading to the 18th Century bridge, which provides a link across the River Derwent from Darley Abbey village to its historic mills complex.
Access to the bridge has been prevented by Derby City Council after an inspection discovered that the structure was in a weak and dangerous condition due to recent flooding.
SecuriPods designed by Derbyshire firm Securiscape to prevebnt vehicle-borne attacks have been brought in to stop traffic in order to protect an 18th Century bridge in Darley Abbey, Derby.
The council said that it had no choice but to prevent vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians from using the bridge until its owners, Crown Estates, can repair it.
Securiscape was called in to install the Securipods in Old Lane at 6.30am on Friday morning, with 2m tall Harris fencing set to be added later.
Mark Stone, managing director of Securiscape, said: “The SecuriPods are designed so that they can withstand the impact from a 7.2 tonne truck driven deliberately at them and so although this is an alternative use for them, they will undoubtedly prove effective in stopping traffic.
“We all know how busy and well-used the Darley Abbey bridge is and what an inconvenience this must be to local residents.
“Although they make an effective barrier, the SecuriPods are very straightforward for our staff to remove, so hopefully they won’t have to be in place for longer than is truly necessary.”
This is not the first time that SecuriPods have been used in Derby. Last September they were used to block off roads and keep pedestrians safe during the Derby Feste celebrations in the city centre and they were used to protect the al fresco dining area that was set up in the Market Place during lockdown.
They also made their debut at the Derby Pride event in Curzon Street in 2018 and have also been used at outdoor public events at Chatsworth and in London, Nottingham, Lancaster and Oxfordshire.
