UK company to provide bridges in rural areas

9 September 2011 06:19 am

Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd. signed a contact with the Ministry of Economic Development in Sri Lanka on Septemer 8, 2011, to provide up to 210 bridges in rural locations island-wide including the North and East. The project is worth US$ 56 million and will be backed by the UK Government’s Export Credit Guarantee Department (ECGD).

The aims of the project are to improve the rural roads network and to link rural communities with mainstream economic development. While the bridges will help increase mobility for Sri Lanka’s rural population and enable them to enhance their standard of living.
The locations of the bridges will be prioritised and selected by Ministry officials on the basis of need, and following full consultation with rural community representatives.

British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, John Rankin, said “I am delighted to see the UK company, Cleveland Bridge, enter the market, in support of the Government of Sri Lanka’s plans for widespread infrastructure and rural community development. The UK Government is ‘putting its money where its mouth is’ and backing Sri Lankan economic development by guaranteeing funding for this project.”

Cleveland Bridge General Manager, Andy Hall said “Cleveland Bridge UK looks forward to working with the Government of Sri Lanka. Cleveland Bridge has been at the forefront of bridge technology for over 100 years. We are very happy to be able to offer our experience, technical expertise and high quality product to help link rural communities in Sri Lanka integrate with the rest of the country.” (Source: British High Commission)