Severn Trent has installed a huge 60 tonne bridge over the River Derwent to Matlock Sewage Treatment Works as part of a £20 million Severn Trent investment in the town -  a stunning timelapse video has shown the feat of engineering with a huge crane erected to pick up the 120ft-long bridge and lay it safely across the water to the site.

The complex operation followed three years of hard work and planning but took only two hours to complete – the timelapse video shows all the action in just seconds.

The bridge is part of a major upgrade to Matlock Sewage Treatment Works, which will boost site capacity and help improve the health of the River Derwent by cutting spills and reducing phosphates in the treatment process.

Customers are being invited to hear more during a special Matlock Week from today where Severn Trent staff will talk through the plans and listen to feedback.

Severn Trent lead project manager Chris Toone, who lives in Matlock. co-ordinated the bridge installation scheme, with specialist company Beaver Bridges.

He commented:

“This project has taken three years to deliver, so seeing the bridge finally installed was a career highlight.

“The former bridge was decades old with weight restrictions on it, so needed replacing to allow the investment plans at the sewage treatment works. We worked really closely with town councillors on all the proposals to ensure we kept within the existing site, minimised disruption and helped protect the environment.

“My background is Civil Engineering but I’ve never been involved in building a bridge before, but this was a team effort involving many people across the business, plus Beaver Bridges.”

Susanna Taylor, Severn Trent project manager for the Sewage Treatment Works upgrade added:

“Removing phosphates is a major part of the scheme, as it will have a positive impact on the quality of the River Derwent - hugely important to local people and Severn Trent.

“Other upgrades include increasing capacity across the site to serve future generations, including a new storm tank that will help reduce spills. Overall, the investment will ensure we have an updated and improved sewer network for future generations.”