Ellis develops New Wear Crossing solution

Global innovator in the cable cleat market, Ellis, has developed a solution for Balfour Beatty to safely secure power cables running the length of the New Wear Crossing in Sunderland.

The new two span cable-stayed bridge is currently under construction, featuring an A-frame pylon rising to 105m and will span the River Wear between Castletown on the north bank and Pallion on the south.

Balfour Beatty approached Ellis following issues with its initial plan to secure the cables as the product proved unworkable. Although Ellis has no suitable alternatives, the company’s product development team went back to the drawing board to develop a project that secured the order.

Managing Director at Ellis, Richard Shaw explained that Ellis is very much the industry solutions provider, if Ellis does not already have the perfect solution it will design and manufacture it.

The Ellis solution was designed to support Emtelle ducts, which in turn support the power cables running the length of the bridge. The solution incorporates 252 specially designed assemblies, each comprising 12 standard 2F+172 clamps and a stainless steel support frame.

The Wear Crossing will carry two lanes of traffic in each direction, once complete, plus dedicated cycle ways and pedestrian footpaths.