This simple flat bridge was constructed using reclaimed 50mm planks (scaffold boards would do the job) screwed on to 100mm x 100mm fence posts (all timber treated with clear preservative).
The sides were created by weaving thin willow (hazel or chestnut whips could be used instead) with 50mm hazel roundels and 25mm ‘bean pole’ sized intermediates as shown, with a strip of hazel split into two to act as the top rail. This strip is screwed into the thicker upright roundels. No preservatives were used for the woven panels, but a clear preservative will prolong the useful life (4 – 5 years) of the units.
The main ‘structural’ uprights are purely decorative, and whilst they obviously form part of the woven structure, the panels are secured by integral lengths of 18mm concrete reinforcing bars (five per side in this case) drilled into the main bridge structure. This is done for ease and also to avoid the need to drill various sizes of hole to accommodate different roundel thicknesses.
You may wish to prefabricate the panels, and affix them afterwards (which is the easiest option) in which case you will require a jig comprising a timber ‘sleeper’ the length of your chosen panels. This is usually no more than 2.4 metres for ease of handling. This jig should be predrilled for the upright roundels, including the intermediates, with the timbers set securely into the sleeper to make the business of weaving through and around the uprights a much simpler operation. Once the panel is finished and the loose ends fixed using panel pins or thin nails, the uprights are eased from their sockets in the base sleeper jig.
Raw materials e.g. willow may be purchased from suppliers in bundles of varying lengths. These will vary in colour dependent on the time of year, as they are cut only once per season, and stored until required, which causes some colour variation.
