500 explosives demolish old bridge over M1

The bridge as it stood before the demolition Credit: Highways Agency

A 2,800 tonne bridge spanning the M1 was demolished on Saturday night, leaving space for a new link road between the M6 and the A14.

The old M6 bridge over the M1 at the Catthorpe Interchange was 80 metres long and weighed more than the Blackpool Tower. It took more than 500 explosives for the Highways Agency to bring it down.

The work was part of the M1 junction 19 improvement scheme. Designed by Sir Owen Williams and Partners, the bridge was constructed in 1971. It was supported on 28 large concrete columns and two concrete abutments.

The rubble created by the demolition will be re-used to make the new junction Credit: Highways Agency