Project details
Scope of work
The High Level Bridge is a Grade I listed road and railway bridge spanning the River Tyne between Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead. Designed by Robert Stephenson and opened in 1849, the bridge comprises six spans extending 408 metres, with a clearance of 26 metres above the River Tyne. Its upper deck carries rail traffic north towards Scotland, while the lower deck accommodates road traffic subject to weight restrictions.
The scope of works involved blast cleaning the lower deck steelwork and applying the Network Rail approved M24 protective coating system. The project presented significant logistical challenges, with plant and equipment positioned at either end of the bridge, requiring operatives to work over 200 metres from the main setup areas. Heavy-duty compressors and robust grit recovery systems were utilised to facilitate operations over these distances. To control airborne dust and paint spray, each span was fully encapsulated using heat-shrink sheeting, supported by heavy-duty dust and fume extraction systems to contain the works and protect the surrounding environment.
The project was successfully completed on programme, to a high-quality standard and without any accidents or incidents. Environmental protection measures ensured that the surrounding area remained unaffected, with dilapidation surveys undertaken before and after the works. The successful delivery of the project further strengthened the working relationship with AMCO Giffen Ltd, leading to collaboration on numerous subsequent projects.
