RIVER ARUN SURVEY SUPPORT

We recently have been providing support for one of our clients Southern Renewals Enterprise who are carrying out a wide range of survey requirements, undertaken on a rail bridge over the River Arun.

Our support staff having been assisting with the erection and striking of a small podium to enable the survey teams to undertake their detailed surveys of the condition of various aspects to the bridge across the 5 spans allowing access to span soffits, abutment shelves and pier crossheads, all conducted from a floating pontoon.

Working from a pontoon only accessible by boat and having to work around the tidal flow of the River Arun has meant that shift patterns and working times are dictated by the incoming and outgoing tides.

A comprehensive risk assessment had been undertaken by our client for carrying out works of this nature, not only with live trains passing overhead, but the hazards of working on water.

The age and condition of the bridge has meant that a comprehensive range of surveys conducted by specialists have been undertaken safely and to programme. In brief a dimensional and condition survey of exposed superstructure elements, including deck plates, girders, webs, and connections to verify previous records is being undertaken.

Whilst the railway bridge isn’t that remote, just outside of Arundel, access was granted by the landowner and a modern, eco friendly site office and welfare facility has been placed on site. Access to the river is by the private jetty located downstream of the railway bridge means a short boat ride for the surveyors and our operatives.

This is just one of several surveying projects AW Rail are assisting with this week, we are regularly called upon by a wide range of clients for the provision of staff to help survey teams carry out surveys safely and often in challenging conditions.