Improvements in or relating to bridges

A launch and recovery mechanism for a deployable bridge, wherein said mechanism has only a single actuator, said single actuator powers and controls bridge deployment using a launch sequence, in which bridge recovery is powered and controlled by said single actuator, and in which bridge recovery is achieved by the reverse of said launch sequence.

A mobile bridge system comprising a deployable bridge, the bridge being movable from a stowed position to a deployed position, the system comprises a bridge launch and recovery mechanism, the launch and recovery mechanism consisting of a single actuator, said single actuator powers and controls deployment of the bridge using a launch sequence, and bridge recovery is powered and controlled by the single actuator, and in which bridge recovery is achieved by the reverse of said launch sequence.

A method of deploying a bridge from a vehicle or a vehicle trailer, comprising the steps of:

• i) providing a mobile bridge system comprising a deployable bridge, the bridge being movable from a stowed position to a deployed position, the mobile bridge system comprises a bridge launch and recovery mechanism, the bridge launch and recovery mechanism having only a single actuator, said single actuator powers and controls deployment of the bridge using a launch sequence;
• ii) deploying said bridge across an obstacle;
• and iii) detaching the vehicle from the deployed bridge and moving the vehicle or vehicle trailer aside to allow traffic to pass.