Specialist workers have lowered a 25-tonne gantry from the Prince of Wales Bridge 40 metres onto a barge, with some staff attached as it descended.
The Prince of Wales Bridge is the M4 motorway crossing over the River Severn between England and Wales.
This is the first gantry National Highways has removed from the bridge since it was constructed in 1996, as the life of bridge gantries is typically 20 to 35 years.
The gantry needed to be replaced, as it had reached the end of its serviceable life; repairs would not be cost-effective, despite having provided many years of service with inspections and maintenance.
National Highways worked alongside Amey and Denholm Industrial Services to carry out the procedure.
‘Fit for purpose’
Mark Maynard, National Highways engineering and construction manager for the Prince of Wales Bridge, said: “Many of the motorways and major A-roads we manage were built around 60 years ago and ensuring they remain fit for purpose is an ongoing and constant job, with safety our number one priority.
“The Prince of Wales bridge spans an area harsh elements and extremes, and a lot of work to maintain it goes unseen. This gantry was a key tool in keeping the bridge operational and replacing it took months of planning.”
The gantry was lowered in two sections to a barge waiting below, the opposite of how it was installed back in 1996, and shipped off for recycling.
Denholm Industrial Services regional manager Kyle Davidson said: “Despite a challenging scope with complex design and environmental constraints, the team collaborated effectively to overcome the challenges and deliver a successful outcome.”
Design work for a replacement is ongoing, with the intention of installing it this financial year.
