Neaco’s Techdek aluminium open grille system has been specified for the signature feature of the £11.9 million Twin Sails Bridge in Poole Harbour designed by Wilkinson Eyre.

Configured as a simple bascule, the joint between the bridge’s two hydraulically lifted sections is skewed across a flat deck, creating two triangular sail shapes which cross as they rise and come to rest in an overlapping composition, mirroring the shape of racing yachts passing through the bridge. Techdek grillage has been installed on both sail sections which form a sculptural piece when lifted into a vertical position. Neaco’s national sales manager, Richard Richardson-Derry, comments:

“Neaco is proud to have contributed towards the construction of another exciting bridge design from Wilkinson Eyre. We also supplied aluminium decking for their Gateshead Millennium Bridge and the Living Bridge at the University of Limerick. It’s always gratifying to be involved in such creative architectural concepts, and speaking more generally our Techdek system has become a highly popular specification for a wide variety of bridge schemes.”

Providing a new link between Poole Harbour and Hamworthy, Twin Sails Bridge is an essential component in Poole’s strategy for future growth. Wilkinson Eyre’s design required robustness and reliability as the low-level bridge opens almost hourly for maritime traffic.

Techdek is extremely versatile and can be used in many other applications, including staging, modesty screens, solar shading, balustrade infills, maintenance galleries and roof access walkways. Its modular aluminium components are precision manufactured off site and easy to assemble with no welding required. The system offers a high architectural aesthetic and is virtually maintenance-free.