Bridge's design is an all-round winner (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Bridge's design is an all-round winner

Dennis Lenard, the chief executive officer of Constructing Excellence, presents Dave Williams with the Structural Steel Design award 2005 on behalf of the British Constructional Steelwork AssociationA SWINDON firm has been awarded a prize for its work on an innovative bridge.

DJW Consulting, which is run by Dave Williams, has been awarded Structural Steel Design Award 2005 for Mr William's work on the Paddington Rolling Bridge in London.

The bridge is a 12m footbridge across the Grand Union Canal in Paddington Basin, west London.

At the touch of a button, one end lifts up and the 4.5-ton bridge rolls itself up into a circle.

The bridge is part of Paddington Basin Development and uses powerful hydraulic arms to unfurl and retract

It's these hydraulics, which Mr Williams designed, which have received such critical acclaim.

Mr Williams said: "It was a very exciting and challenging project to work on and it is wonderful to be recognised for that.

"It is not often the engineer gets involved with the artistic side of the project, but it was necessary to ensure that none of the hydraulics can be seen."

Dennis Lenard, the chief executive of Constructing Excellence, gave Mr Williams the award.

The structure was installed and opened to the public in September last year and now works every Friday at noon for the visitors who travel from all over the world to view the bridge in operation.

The bridge has gained plaudits from around the world for its unique design and silent operation.

It has also received a nomination for its outstanding environmental design and architecture.