Dramatic footage shows workers bringing bridge crashing down onto M6

The M6 was closed between Junction 13 and 14 at Stafford last weekend to allow workers to remove the 140-ton Burton Bank footbridge, which needed to come down as part of the wider smart motorway project.

New footage shows just how quickly teams had to work, first to dismantle the bridge and bring it crashing down, before clearing away all the rubble to ensure vehicles could return to the motorway by 8am.

Highways England always aimed to complete the job in 12 hours, but had prepared an 18-hour closure in case the job took longer to complete.

The arched bridge, which was built in the 1960s, needed to come down as there was not enough room for HGVs to pass through on the hard shoulder when it becomes a running lane.

The footage showed diggers clawing away at the bridge from the edges before the bridge collapsed onto motorway below.

But that was only the start. Teams then had to make sure all the rubble was cleared and the motorway in a safe condition for drivers to travel on. Many motorists using the M6 the next day may not have been aware of the work that had taken place hours before.

Highways England smart motorways project sponsor, Peter Smith, said: “This is the second bridge we have taken down on this stretch and the first operation went very smoothly, exactly as we planned.

“The age and shape of Burton Bank footbridge made this more challenging but in the end it was business as usual for us. We were delighted to be able to open the motorway so early in the morning, before the traffic started to build up.

“Thank you to everyone who heeded our warnings and avoided the area on Saturday night. We are grateful to those who did have their journeys affected for their patience and understanding.”