Securing Noggins to Beams

We changed our method of securing the noggins to the beams as we realised that it was impossible to take the bridge apart and drill through each beam and noggin, secure them with threaded stainless steel bar, and hope that the bridge would be level at the end of play. Instead we cut notches in the sides of the noggins which took 6 inch (80mm) stainless steel coach bolts. These bolts were used to mark a position on the inside of the beam, a pilot hole was then drilled. The noggin was replaced and the coach bolts driven home.

The pictures below show the architect, William McMorran, and Tim Fison securing the noggins to the beam structure over the weekend of the 11th may 2008.

Scribing Lines for Placement of Balustrades and Noggins

Once the beams were made level and secure to the foundations at either end we had go about scribing lines across the top sides of the beams. These lines would assist in positioning the noggins and the balustrades. The engineer's drawings didn't seem to work out so we divided the length of the outside beams by the number of balustrades. From these points we were able to scribe across the tops of the beams, using a chalk line and a scratching awl.

The noggins were then measured to fit into their designated positions by placing the noggin blank across the two beams and scribing the face of each beam onto the end of the noggin. They were then cut and adjusted until they fit their slot.

Balancing the Beams

Jonathan Wiltshire and I spent many days making the beams line and level - before we secured the beams to the end-plates.

New End-Plate Secured In Place

Stephen Mather and Stuart Graham secured the new end-plate in place on the 8th February 2008.

New End-Plate

A new end-plate was designed by Price & Myers and manufactured in Pershore, Worcestershire, by Steven Cooper. This was collected by me on 17th December 2007.