Europe's biggest crane seen for miles around as road work forges ahead
[gallery] There was a new addition to the Midland skyline as Europe's biggest crane moved into place to carry out a crucial part of a major project to create a new link road.
The huge crane could be seen for miles around as it got to work on lowering beams on a new road bridge being created as part of the £12 million scheme which will link the A451 Stourport Road and A449 Worcester Road.
The crane stands 50 metres tall (164ft) and the beams it was lowering weighed 75 tons each and were 60 metres long (196ft). John Fraser, head of highways at Worcestershire County Council, said weather conditions yesterday made the job more difficult. The canal was also closed off to boats.
He said: "The challenge is with the weather at this time of year. There was a slight delay because of the wind. They can't lift in winds higher than 22mph. We had to counterbalance the crane to deal with the wind."
The work is part of the final phase of the Hoobrook link road which is aimed at boosting jobs and housing in Kidderminster as well as easing congestion.
It is being built within the South Kidderminster Enterprise Park, one of Worcestershire's four key employment sites.
The new road will improve accessibility to this park and the surrounding areas.
