Key services provided

• Concrete repairs
• Parapet repairs
• Painting
• Traffic management

Designed by Thomas Telford, the Holt Fleet Bridge was opened in 1828, and strengthened a century later, in 1928. The bridge was strengthened when the upper and lower parts of each rib, and some of the diagonal struts above them were encased in concrete, with the road deck being rebuilt in reinforced concrete and widened at the same time.

The VolkerLaser team completed a series of concrete and parapet repairs, replacement of sandstone to the approach wing walls and painting of the entire structure. This led to the lifting of a 7.5 tonne weight restriction imposed during the early part of 2009.

Working space within the bridge structure was extremely restricted, to the point where only the smaller members of the workforce were able to access the area. A specific work method and rescue procedure was implemented, with each operative being supervised by a second, and sometimes a third man, to ensure safety within such a confined space. During the main works, the area below the bridge was fully scaffolded and sheeted for access and safety purposes. Further precautions meant that, whilst the scaffold was being erected and dismantled, a full-time manned safety boat was employed in the river below.

Holt Fleet Bridge forms a key part of Worcestershire’s transport network, as it’s the only road to cross the River Severn between Stourport-on-Severn and Worcester. VolkerLaser installed a traffic management system to minimise disruption to local businesses and residents, keeping one lane open at all times.

Works were completed slightly ahead of schedule allowing the road to fully reopen a month earlier than anticipated.