Client: Enterprise Mouchel
Main contractor: Enterprise Mouchel
Work involved: Concrete Repairs to Underside of Bridge
Date: September 2011
The Brief
Concrete repairs were required to the underside of this roadbridge. But the Environment Agency were keen to ensure that none of the concrete or concrete dust was allowed to contaminate the river and also keep the riverbed as undisturbed as possible . With less than 2m height between the underside of the bridge and the river bed, a MEWP (mobile elevation platform) which could stand on the road, reach out, down and under the bridge couldn't be used as the man basket was too tall. Erecting a birdcage scaffold was also dismissed as the platform would be so low it could snag floating branches and debris if there was a flood, and also the scaffolders would cause major disturbance to the riverbed whilst erecting and dismantling.
The Solution
South West Concrete Repairs cut down two mobile access towers, fitted a plywood deck and sides. Then we fitted plastic sheeting nailed to the plywood. The structures were light enough to lift out of the river each night (and during flood warnings etc) and strong enough to catch any debris, ensuring no pollution to the river.