Sheffield-based William Cook (www.william-cook.co.uk) has cast two steel supports for a new viaduct for the Paris Metro system. The family-owned group designed the columns to support the 600m-long viaduct (and an elevated metro station) in a project led by French architect Marc Mimram and the Paris transport agency (RATP). W

eighing 12 tonnes and up to 7m tall, the columns are the largest castings ever poured at William Cook’s Sheffield foundry.

A pair of full-size prototypes has been cast, and an order for 48 more columns is anticipated in 2018.

William Cook won the development project against French competition because of its reputation for combining high aesthetics with high integrity in the design and manufacture of structural steel components.

It has previously worked on prestigious projects such as Heathrow Terminal Five and the Millennium Bridge across the Thames.

RATP wants the viaduct for an extension to Metro Line 11 to be “a strong architectural gesture” but integrated into its environment with a fluid, sleek and elegant design.

Group chairman Andrew Cook said: “We are delighted to have won this scoping project against strong Frenchcompetition.

“It demonstrates our ability to create safety-critical components that are engineered to the highest levels of structural and aesthetic integrity.

“William Cook has a long track record of designing and engineering steel components for prestigious projects, including Wimbledon Centre Court and the new stadium of a leading London football club.”