Repairs to an 8 arch masonry single lane traffic signal controlled bridge over the River Dee on the English / Welsh border, and a Grade 1 Scheduled Monument. Works included; extensive masonry repairs, new concrete deck and waterproofing, alterations to drainage, new traffic signals, renew cast iron kerbs, resurfacing of carriageway, footways and refuges. Traffic Management and diversions. Extensive local PR liaison with the travelling public and the Farndon and Holt communities on either side of the bridge during the bridge closure, whilst maintaining pedestrian access throughout the bulk of the works. (NEC/ECC Option B)

Farndon Bridge spans the River Dee on the England/Wales border and is the only crossing point between the two villages either side for many miles without having to use the busy A534 and a substantial detour. Because of this the works were restricted to a small off-peak window of 10:00-14:30 Monday-Friday with pedestrian access maintained at all times with full closures only allowed for waterproofing and surfacing works. Our programming, methodology, and collaborative working managed to reduced the closures from an initial estimate by CW&CC of 10 days to just 3 days.

The bridge, a Grade I Scheduled Monument, is only approximately 4.0m wide and therefore maintaining pedestrian access while undertaking the works safely was a major hazard. We used sectional working to reduce exposure of pedestrians with well protected and safe routes around the works areas.

Rope access was used to undertake many of the masonry repairs to avoid the requirement for scaffolding which, while saving space and time presented other hazards which were successfully managed through our RAMS procedures.

As a Grade I Scheduled Monument we incorporated the requirements of both Historic England and Historic Wales into our Site Rules to ensure that all personnel understood the importance of the structure and carried out their works with respect.