Bridge installed in Chetham’s redevelopment

The bridge to link the new £36m building at Chetham's School of Music has been installed to link with the old school.

The bridge will be used by the 290 students at the school as they make their way from sleeping and eating quarters to the new school where they will study, practice and perform.

The steel bridge, which crosses the River Irk, was designed as part of a joint venture between Manchester-based Roger Stephenson Architects and London structural engineers Price & Myers.

Claire Hickman, head of Chetham's School of Music, said "The bridge installation is a significant milestone for Chetham's as it really will connect our past with our future. This is just one more step towards completion of the New School development, and we are thrilled to be witnessing the centrepiece of our entire site being put in place."

The project was supported by the North West Development Agency and the Department for Education, as well as individual donors and trusts.

A model of the bridge constructed during the design process has gone on display at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in London.