Devon County and Teignbridge Councils built a 26-metre bridge and 110-metre road near Dawlish, connecting a new housing development to the A379 while reducing traffic near local schools. Montel Civil Engineering managed the project, using Mekina Industries’ eco-friendly GRP panels. Designed with sustainability in mind, the bridge includes features to protect local wildlife, such as bat-friendly structures, no lighting, and safe passages for mammals.
Devon County Council worked in partnership with Teignbridge District Council to manage the design and construction of a new 26m span bridge and section of 110m of carriageway west of the A379 within the Shutterton area of Dawlish in Devon.
The new link road and an associated bridge over Shutterton Brook is part of a scheme connecting an 860-home housing development to the A379. The council’s aim for the road was to prevent traffic and avoid having to use Elm Grove Road and going past two schools.
Devon County Council appointed Montel Civil Engineering as the main contractor for the work which began in August 2023 and was completed in November 2024. Montel Civil Engineering is a collaborative, experienced and successful privately owned civil engineering company, with extensive experience in delivering complex civil engineering projects up to £20 million, within both the public and private sectors. As a principal contractor, Montel Civil Engineering planned, managed and delivered the Dawlish Bridge project on behalf of DCC.
Montel chose Mekina Industries to supply its Mek-Dek panels as the GRP permanent formwork panels for the project. Mekina’s unique lower embodied carbon GRP Permanent Formwork panels undergo a quality manufacturing process that guarantees uniformity, strength, and structural integrity in the end product. As a leave in place solution that is added prior to the concrete pour, it is not participating, (i.e. it does not contribute anything to the load-carrying capacity of the concrete, but offers a durable solution which also offers an attractive underside surface to form a soffit when viewed from underneath the bridge structure.
The bridge was designed to be permeable to bats, which was achieved with a clear span design, which provided sufficient headroom through which bats can fly. Interestingly, the decision was taken for no lighting on the bridge, to avoid deterring bats from flying along the brook and beneath the bridge. Adding further support for the sustainability aims of the project, mammal and dormice features were be incorporated beneath the bridge to provide safe passage along the brook.
Devon County Council
Teignbridge District Council
6 Plover Rd, Dawlish EX7 0RL, UK
Get to know the team behind Mekina Industries – who are dedicated to giving your project The Edge through the greenest GRP formwork in the industry and unrivalled technical assurance.
With decades of experience in GRP permanent formwork and other bespoke GRP construction products, I focus on providing exceptional service to our valued customers in the highways and transport industries.
Director of Sales Operations
Our GRP formwork panels offer a distinct advantage: the elimination of the need for access beneath the structure during installation. Our lower embodied carbon and recyclability gives us the Edge over traditional formwork methods.
Director of Manufacturing Operations
My expertise in composites engineering empowers me to navigate complex design challenges, ensuring that Mekina’s engineering support to clients achieves the highest standards of efficiency, quality and sustainability.
Head of Engineering
As a Structural Engineer, I’m passionate about prioritising the safety and integrity of the solutions we provide to clients in the highways and transport sectors. My particular specialism is in finite element analysis (FEA) of GRP composite materials.
Structural Design Manager
My skillset combines engineering expertise, a deep understanding of materials and proficiency in using computational tools for analysis and design. Load testing Mekina products is key to understanding their long-term performance.
Composite Material Engineer
