Paper Bridge

In May 2015, artist Steve Messam constructed a temporary bridge across Grisedale Beck using only large sheets of paper. It was built without glue, bolts or fixings, except in the access steps. It was built using a traditional method used for centuries in the many packhorse bridges throughout the Lake District.

PaperBridge was made from 22,000 sheets of locally made paper and weighed around 4 tonnes. The abutments on either side were built in wire gabions using stone taken from the beck.

Visitors were invited to cross the bridge (at their own risk). One of the photographs below shows elderly local Pat Griggs standing on top of the bridge.

The installation was funded by the LakesCulture Ignite2015 Project and was in place for 10 days from the 8th to the 18th of May 2015. At the end of the project all of the paper was taken away and recycled into new paper.

Note: Well worth looking at his other amazing art installations Click Here