The Engineers’ Collective

Restoring a 200-Year-Old Suspension Bridge with VolkerLaser

In this episode of the Engineers Collective, host Rob Hakimian and senior reporter Thomas Johnson discuss recent civil engineering news before interviewing Lee Jackson, Senior Project Manager at VolkerLaser, about the restoration of Walton Bridge – the UK’s oldest surviving suspension bridge, now approaching its 200th anniversary. Jackson explains how the bridge’s original iron chains and hangers were in far worse condition than anticipated, requiring extensive replacement while preserving as much historic fabric as possible, funded by the Leveling‑Up Fund. The conversation also touches on broader infrastructure challenges, such as coastal road erosion in Devon and the balancing act of funding local versus strategic road networks.