Waterlooville-based Smart Video & Sensing Ltd has installed a new CCTV system and control room to manage swing bridges on two canals in Gloucestershire.

Working on behalf of at the the Canal & River Trust, the systems allow full operation of the Upper and Lower Purton swing bridges from one control centre.

Eight new Hikvision CCTV cameras have been installed at strategic positions on both bridges giving one bridge-keeper full visibility of all areas via two large screen monitors allowing safe remote operation from the single location at Lower Purton. Cameras are linked via Wi-Fi between each bridge and the bridge-keeper can make audible announcements to any pedestrians at Upper Purton who may prevent safe operation of the swing bridge.

SVS Managing Director Peter Eccleson commented that “the system makes the bridge-keeper’s job so much easier and safer.”