Fore Gill Bridge rebuild: a sustainable approach to renewing ageing rural infrastructure

Dr Christopher Walker

Dr Christopher Walker is a civil and geotechnical engineer specialising in the resilience of transport infrastructure under changing climate conditions. At North Yorkshire Council, he applies this expertise to the management and delivery of highway structure schemes, combining technical design, construction supervision, contract administration and CDM responsibilities across bridges, retaining walls and geotechnical assets. His work focuses on practical engineering solutions for ageing infrastructure, particularly where safety, sustainability, cost and long-term resilience need to be carefully balanced.

Christopher completed a PhD in Civil and Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Leeds, researching the impact of climate change on transport infrastructure and geostructures. He remains active in research as a Visiting Researcher at the University of Leeds, with interests unsaturated soils including, wetting and drying effects in compacted soils and thermo-hydro mechanical coupled finite element modelling. His academic and professional work has been recognised through awards including the British Geotechnical Association Fund Award, the Yorkshire Geological Society Fearnsides Award and the School of Civil Engineering Postgraduate Award Prize.
 

Matthew Walker

Matthew Walker is a civil engineer with specialist experience in historic bridges, geotechnical engineering and highway structures. At North Yorkshire Council, Matthew is involved in the full delivery of highway structure schemes, from technical design and construction drawings through to NEC4 contract administration, stakeholder coordination and site delivery. 

Matthew’s background in geotechnical engineering including geotechnical design, ground investigation and slope stability assessments supports his work that has focused on the reconstruction of masonry bridges and retaining walls. He has delivered work in constrained and sensitive locations balancing technical requirements with heritage, environmental, access, and stakeholder considerations. Notable project experience includes Fore Gill Bridge, an ICE award-winning reconstruction scheme recognised as an excellent example of heritage-sensitive engineering at pace.

James Walker

James Walker is a civil engineering professional with specialist experience in managing ageing infrastructure. He has worked across the full lifecycle of infrastructure assets, providing inspection, assessment, design, maintenance, contract management and construction delivery services in local government and consultancy environments. His experience includes the repair, strengthening and reconstruction of masonry structures, with a focus on keeping critical infrastructure safe, serviceable and in use. Notable project experience includes The Rehabilitation of Selby Town Swing Bridge – Phase 1, involving the refurbishment of a technically complex moveable structure.