29.03.2005

Bad Concrete could spur bridge inspections

The UK Highways Agency may recall contractors to inspect and possibly remedy a number of bridges and gantries in southern England where defective concrete, supplied by Lafarge's plant in Westbury, was used.

As many as 11 structures are thought to have used the concrete, that contained very high alkali levels. The defective material was supplied over a two year period.

A number of the bridges are though to be located on busy holiday traffic routes, the possible effect on the structures includes premature crumbling and cracking and may call in some cases for demolition and rebuilding.

In the meantime the very least demand will be for status inspections and then close monitoring. Given the high summer usage of some of these routes, demand for specialist non disruptive access equipment such as mobile underbridge units or truck mounts that can reach from below,should be high.

Bridges and structures that might be affected include:
• A36 Skew Bridge Salisbury
• A303 Solstice Park Amesbury S278 scheme
• M5 J21-20 -Wick St Lawrence & Lampley Bow Bridges
• M4/M5 Almondsbury Interchange - gantries
• M4/A34 J13 Chieveley
• M4 Shrub railway bridge, Swindon
• A36 Limpley Stoke
• A38 Kennford - Telegraph Hill Bridge
• M27 Junctions 4-9 - gantries
• M27 Junctions 9-12 - gantries
• M5 Junction 31 Exminste