The AVA footbridge: an adaptable bridge & lift system

Anthony Dewar

In his role at Network Rail (NR), Anthony Dewar sets its built environment strategy, covering elements of design including architecture and civil engineering. He is responsible for national standards, policies, new technologies and international benchmarking for all of NR’s built environment assets. 

His notable achievements in elevating the importance of design in rail infrastructure include forming an independent NR design panel; developing design principles and introducing guidance covering the built environment; and using competitions to reinvigorate NR’s approach to design. 

A Chartered Engineer and ICE Fellow, Anthony has more than 20 years’ industry experience in asset management, programme engineering and project development in Europe. He was NR’s professional head of civil engineering and environment on the HS1 project, having previously served private-sector enterprises including Jacobs Babtie, Louis Berger and Railtrack. 

Phil Webb

Phil Webb joined Walker Construction as a site agent in 1993, playing a pivotal role in developing the rail division. Promoted to divisional rail director in 2006 and then managing director in 2013, he is the first non-family member to hold the position. As safety director, he led the implementation of a behavioural safety program. An enthusiastic advocate for diversity, Phil is dedicated to inspiring young talent and bridging the skills gap in the construction industry. He also played a key role in the construction of the AVA footbridge, reinforcing the company’s commitment to infrastructure excellence and innovation.

Dan Green

Dan is a Chartered Civil Engineer and the lead structural designer for AVA Stowmarket, the first-of-a-kind deployment of the AVA system. He is an associate at Expedition Engineering and a dedicated and creative structural engineer with over a decade of experience designing complex bridges and leading design teams. He sits on the UK Net Zero Bridge Group Executive Committee and has delivered projects from concept through to construction at every scale including architectural footbridge designs, long span crossings, and heritage structures.

Andrew Davies

Andrew is an RIBA Chartered Architect leading the architectural team on the ‘AVA Footbridge & Lifts’ consortium. As a partner and head of transport & infrastructure at Hawkins\Brown Architects, an AJ100 top ten practice in the UK, he has been involved in the AVA journey from its beginning. Following the RIBA future footbridges competition in 2018 where Hawkins\Brown’s entry received the highly commended award, Andrew’s team were asked to join a nationally significant R&D project funded by InnovateUK and Network Rail to develop an affordable, quick to build, robust, sustainable, and adaptable footbridge of the future. 

Chris Head

Chris has 18 years of experience in the steelwork industry, starting in steel stockholding and moving into architectural metalwork. He then worked as a project engineer in the oil & gas sector for clients like BP and Exxon Mobil. For the past six years, Chris has been the pre-construction manager at McNealy Brown, contributing to projects on landmarks such as the Millennium Bridge and Westminster Bridge. 
Chris has been involved with AVA for two years, focusing on the fabrication and assembly of the footbridge, contributing with knowledge of materials as well as manufacturing methods and availabilities within the steelwork industry.

Darren Falkingham

Darren leads the uptake of the AVA Lift System for ARX.