An innovative new bridge access system, developed by Spencer Bridge Engineering, has been recognised with a prestigious industry award.
AeroTruss™ received the Specialist Innovation of the Year accolade at the Construction News Specialist Awards 2026 in recognition of the flexibility, scalability and increased safety it offers to contractors carrying out critical infrastructure projects.
The awards bring together the brightest and most innovative operators within the UK’s specialist construction industry to celebrate the sector’s innovation, expertise and technical ingenuity.
The Specialist Innovation of the Year award recognises contractors that have developed an outstanding new product, service, process, or other relevant breakthrough, demonstrating exceptional inventiveness in terms of productivity, business systems, or the quality of service offered to clients.
Spencer Bridge Engineering developed AeroTruss™ as an alternative to inefficient and costly traditional access systems, after identifying a long-standing and critical gap in the market.
Engineered using high-quality components, the modular access system was developed to offer unmatched flexibility, safety and reusability, in both temporary and permanent applications.
AeroTruss™ was first deployed at the Menai Suspension Bridge, linking the island of Anglesey with the mainland in North Wales, which is widely considered as having one of the most complex and constrained operational environments in the UK.
Despite the extreme tidal conditions and loading constraints of the historic structure, the Spencer Bridge Engineering team demonstrated the rapid installation, reduced risk and significant cost savings their new solution can achieve.
Following its successful implementation on the Menai Suspension Bridge, the Construction News Specialist Awards 2026 mark the first time the access system has been recognised in an awards scheme.
Independently verified and applicable across the bridges, rail, industrial and nuclear sectors, it provides a scalable, future-ready solution to complex access challenges.
Spencer Bridge Engineering’s Bridges Director, Luke Fisher, said: “We’re delighted to see AeroTruss™ recognised for its innovation and technical excellence in these prestigious awards.
“AeroTruss™ was driven by our real-world experience of using traditional access systems. We had a clear vision to create a flexible, scalable and safer solution to address the inefficiencies of conventional methods while delivering long-term value across multiple sectors.
“This success wouldn’t have been possible without the ingenuity and dedication of all of our team members involved in the design and development of AeroTruss™, as well as the operational expertise of colleagues involved in its deployment on site.
“We also want to recognise the important contribution of our partner Ramboll, who conducted the ‘Category 3’ check on the system. This rigorous and independent verification provided additional assurance of the system’s structural integrity, performance and design robustness.”
The CN Specialist Awards were presented before an audience of leading businesses from across the industry during a glittering ceremony at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
The awards organisers said the calibre of awards submissions this year was exceptional, and the winners had “truly raised the bar for specialist construction”.
The rigorous judging process included a face-to-face judging element, during which shortlisted entrants, including Spencer Bridge Engineering, presented to a judging panel made up of representatives from some of the industry’s most respected clients and leaders.
The judges commented: “Spencer Bridge Engineering delivered an outstanding, well-presented and well-structured presentation, supported by a great case study.
“It was a clear demonstration of innovation and of finding a safer, more efficient way of working. The presenter was clearly a subject matter expert and showed genuine enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, the innovation presented.”
- For the full list of award winners, go to www.specialistsawards.constructionnews.co.uk/cnsp2026/en/page/2026-winners