Bridge makes first connection between new and existing sites at the home of Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has marked another milestone in the above-ground construction of its new extension at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, with the installation of a bridge linking the existing premises with the site of what will become the new building, currently under construction alongside it.

Made from steel, the bridge is 30m (100ft) long, 4.4m (14ft) wide and 10m (32ft) high; it weighs just over 20-tonnes. Yet despite its size and weight, its ingenious design means the bridge appears to float in the air – just like the Home of Rolls-Royce’s other famous walkway, the Skywalk, that ‘floats’ above the marque’s production areas.

The new bridge was prefabricated off-site by a specialist metalworking company in Scotland and delivered to the Home of Rolls-Royce by road as a single assembly. This was a significant organisational and logistical challenge, especially on the narrow roads of rural West Sussex in the journey’s final stages. The Rolls-Royce project team worked closely with transport, technical and construction partners, relevant authorities and the local community to ensure the bridge arrived on time, in perfect condition and with minimal disruption to residents and other road users.

The bridge, which has been carefully integrated into the existing building, is the first physical connection between the original premises that opened in 2003, and the site of the new 40,000 sq m (430,500 sq ft) building. Once complete, this new structure will house a new Surface Finish Centre (paint shop), as well as new equipment and production areas for Bespoke and Coachbuild commissions, and a Logistics area.

“Although it’s being built next to our existing premises, our new extension has been entirely separate until now. Installing this new bridge is therefore a significant development, marking the first physical connection between our existing and new sites. Like the extension building, the bridge is currently a steel skeleton, but once completed, it will provide a seamless connection between the two sites, which will be essential to the smooth operation of our manufacturing processes. Transporting the bridge from Scotland and installing it here as a single structure has been a major feat of logistics and engineering. Sincere thanks and congratulations to our construction and technical partners for their expertise and skill, our own Rolls-Royce project team for successfully coordinating and managing this highly complex operation, and our neighbours in the local community for their continued understanding and support.”
Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations and Heritage, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars