National Highways looks for new ideas to identify bridge defects
National Highways is looking to revolutionise the way it monitors and maintains bridges and other structures by hunting out new and innovative ways that will spot potential defects sooner. Research has begun to help National Highways on the ambitious journey towards self-monitoring and self-maintaining bridges with cutting-edge technology and modern methods being sought out for […]
University researcher develops bridge damage early warning system
A new prototype sensor that provides an early warning signal if a bridge is at risk of scour – the number one cause of bridge collapse globally – has been developed by a researcher at Queen’s University Belfast. Scour is erosion of riverbeds and banks, which can cause major bridge structural failure problems. Dr Myra […]
Months of maintenance work planned for original Severn Bridge
National Highways is beginning a programme of cable inspections on the M48 Severn Bridge to monitor corrosion which will involve lane restrictions and some full closures of the bridge. The government-owned company, with its contractors Amey and VolkerLaser, will be inspecting several sections of the two main suspension cables as part of routine investigations to […]
TfL “shelving” bridge anti-terror barrier work
Transport for London is reported to be abandoning plans to install permanent anti-terror barriers on bridges in central London because of their cost. London’s Evening Standard has seen TfL committee papers released ahead of a meeting this week that “several planned projects” will no longer go ahead in 2022/23 due to “the reduced funding available” […]
London may get specific river crossing committee
Transport for London’s commissioner Andy Byford has stated he would be in favour of formalising the existence of a committee to oversee maintenance of London’s river crossings. London’s financial paper City AM says that at the London Assembly’s transport committee, Byford agreed that TfL alongside the central government and London boroughs should formalise the mandate […]
National Highways replaces bridge on A45
A new bridge spanning almost 50 metres across the A45 near Coventry has opened up for the first time after the original, outdated structure was removed. National Highways says the steel bridge, across the A45 westbound entry slip at the A45/A46 Festival Interchange, is safer for pedestrians and cyclists and provides better access for people […]
Warning that London’s bridges may need vehicle and speed limits
The London Assembly’s Transport Committee is warning that limits on vehicle numbers and speeds may be required on the capital’s bridges to stop them falling down. In a report “London’s River Crossings – Bridging the Thames” warns that the closure of Hammersmith Bridge because of safety fears was a “wake up call”, and that consideration […]
