Welcome to the third edition of this project newsletter
We are delighted to bring you the third edition of our Community Newsletter for the Edinburgh North Bridge Refurbishment project. As the works progress, we will keep you informed of the behind the scenes activities, of this project, our progress, and planned works. As part of Scape’s National Civil Engineering and Infrastructure framework, superseded by the Civil Engineering framework and the Civil Engineering, Scotland framework, this project is committed to supporting our local community. This is demonstrated through our community engagement with local schools and higher learning facilities, charities and volunteer groups, and by offering various work experience placements.
#teamscape
Project Timescale
Balfour Beatty commenced work on the project on 4th June 2018 with works expected to continue into winter 2020.
Core works to the North Bridge:
- Structural steelwork repairs
- Grit blasting and repainting of the structural steelwork
- Repairs to the cast iron façades
- Repairs to the underside of the bridge’s concrete deck
- Improvements to the structural drainage systems
- Replacement if expansion joints
- Restoration of, and repairs to, the King’s Own Scottish Borders War Memorial (located on the east plinth of the bridge’s south pier)
- Installation of permanent platforms to improve access provisions for future inspection and minor maintenance
- All temporary scaffolding required to access the structure
Behind the Scenes
The current works taking place at the North Bridge Refurbishment
Current works at the North Bridge Refurbishment project include the installation of scaffolding, concrete repairs, steelwork repairs, cast iron repairs and grit blasting & painting works.
As you may have noticed, scaffolding works have continued on the underside of the North Bridge and above Waverley Station. The purpose of this complex hanging scaffolding is to provide access points for undertaking the works, without interfering with the railway traffic from Waverley station or other traffic on Market Street.
This scaffolding has allowed the engineers and site operatives to inspect the bridge, up close, and accommodate repairs to the concrete and steelworks.
Access scaffolding has also facilitated a painting trial to take place which will confirm all of the colours for the façade. Many years of weathering, since the previous bridge restoration, have dulled the colours. These painting trials will ensure that the correct colours are used when restoring the bridge to its former glory. The image, to the right, shows a section of the bridge, where a painting trial has been carried out.
Safety of the highest importance
Plant and Vehicle Marshal Training
With the North Bridge Refurbishment project being in the heart of the city centre, we have reduced the amount of plant and vehicle traffic to a minimum.
In the last quarter, the Balfour Beatty site management team and operatives have undertaken Plant and Vehicle Marshal training. We're committed to achieving Zero Harm across all our businesses at Balfour Beatty, with a focus on the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
By controlling exclusion zones and restricting access around our plant and vehicle operations, we are able to keep both our site team and members of the public safe.
Staff Wellbeing
Mental Health issues continue to affect the construction industry.
The North Bridge Refurbishment project regularly holds ‘Mates in Mind: Starting the Conversation’, sessions, which encourage open conversations about mental health and wellbeing
Throughout this quarter, the project team were proud to take part in Mental Health Awareness week.
Our project has also hosted several health and wellbeing toolbox talks to raise awareness, start discussion channels and create support networks for anyone affected by any of the issues raised. These have included topics such as cancer and high blood pressure, drug and alcohol abuse, smoking and active lifestyles.
The importance of HAVs awareness
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is an occupational hazard which can affect workers exposed to high-vibration tools and machinery over an extensive amount of time. Balfour Beatty, and the North Bridge Refurbishment site team have put several safety measures in place to prevent our site operatives being at risk as a result of using high-vibration tools.
One of the measures that the North Bridge Refurbishment site team have put in place is the use of Reactec Analytics Platform technology. The Reactec HAVSWEAR wristbands and ID cards monitor the user’s exposure to vibrations and alert the user if they are at risk.
Armed Forces Career Transition Fair
As part of our commitment to the UK Armed Forces Covenant, Balfour Beatty ensures that veterans, reservists and their partners are treated fairly in the workplace and are fully integrated into the wider community. Balfour Beatty recognises the extensive benefits of building an inclusive and diverse workforce.
The Balfour Beatty HR team connects those transitioning to a civilian career with the Balfour Beatty’s talent community. This allows the talent team to communicate with individuals, discuss upcoming opportunities and give individual advice.
Cyrenians Toolbox Talk
Cyrenians Outreach Service delivered a toolbox talk to the North Bridge Refurbishment site team about how to interact with, and support, the local homeless community.
Cyrenians is a charity that delivers sustainable solutions for the causes and consequences of homelessness in Scotland.
The North Bridge Refurbishment site team often come into contact with homeless people in the local area. Balfour Beatty invited Nick Harrold to come to site, and deliver a toolbox talk, on the best ways to support the local homeless community.
The toolbox talk included information about interacting with homeless people; supporting outreach workers; and which organisations the site team should contact if they are concerned about certain individuals in the local area.
Nick Harrold, Outreach Worker, from Cyrenians said:
“I was delighted to accept the offer to provide a 'Toolbox Talk' to the staff at Balfour Beatty. As well as my interactions with Edinburgh's homeless community, a fundamental aspect of my work involves raising awareness and providing information to the general public about homelessness, and the opportunity to debunk some of the myths surrounding homeless people. It's also a credit to Balfour Beatty that they've sought input from support services rather than automatically moving towards criminalisation as a way to resolve these issues.”
The Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home was founded in 1883 and is one of Scotland’s oldest Animal Welfare organisations. The Home works in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council and Police Scotland, across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
On Friday 3rd May the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home had an unveiling of their 80 foot community mural at the Portobello and Seafield promenade.
Calum Nicol, Partnership Fundraiser, from the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said:
“In Partnership with The Edinburgh Shoreline Project, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home received funding to install an 80ft mural on the Seafield Promenade. The mural itself is fixed to an 80 meter long wall which for many years has been abused and covered in graffiti. Thanks to the help from Balfour Beatty volunteers the remaining 56 meters of wall was whitewashed in time for the launch on Friday 3rd or May. It’s hoped that this investment in the Seafield Promenade will have a positive impact on the Edinburgh Shoreline and also raise more awareness of Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home.
Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home Special Gifts Fundraiser, Alanna Brady, said:
“The mural cleverly combines elements of the local environment, culture and heritage of Seafield. A rise in footfall along the promenade will increase support among local businesses, including the Home, which will hopefully result in more of our animals finding loving, forever homes. The committed work from Balfour Beatty employees; Greig, Jamie and Randy was excellent and without their help and eagerness to contribute, the wall would not have been finished In time for the official launch. Everyone human and animal at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home would like to extend a huge thank you to Balfour Beatty!”
Cash for Kids Fundraiser
The North Bridge Refurbishment project raised £135.73 for Cash for Kids with their charity lunch and bake sale.
The money raised will support children in the Edinburgh, Fife, Falkirk and the Lothians, who are living in poverty, have additional support needs or are living with life limiting diseases.
Victoria Hendry, Charity Manager, from Cash for Kids said: “We’re delighted that the team at Balfour Beatty have supported us in running their Bake Sale and looking to support throughout the year via Recycling Points at their sites.”
Scaling the North Bridge Refurbishment project
The North Bridge is an iconic, and historic, structure within Edinburgh, bringing together the Old and New Town. To this day it remains an important thoroughfare for pedestrians, public transport and emergency services.
The current North Bridge was originally constructed by William Arrol & Co. between 1895 to 1897. This same company also designed the Forth Rail Bridge, earlier in the 1890s. Arrol was particularly famous for his hydraulic riveting which was used on both structures.
William Arrol & Co. engineered 3 new spans of 175ft each, which is the equivalent of 4 double decker buses.
The company used 2000 tons of chilled steel, which is the equivalent to 160 double decker buses, as well as a further 500 tons of cast iron, which was primarily used for the decorative façade.
During the current works, the North Bridge Refurbishment project has used over 875,984ft of scaffold tubing and scaffold boards to create the intricate hanging scaffolding that will allow works to the bridge to be complete.
That equates to almost the distance from Edinburgh Castle to John O’Groats.
See below a sneak peek at the complexity of the hanging scaffold that has been erected above the roof of Waverley Station.
What's Happening Next?
Keep your eyes peeled for our Ivor Goodsite’s Hoarding Competition board.
The Ivor Goodsite Hoarding Competition is an annual design challenge set by the Considerate Constructors Scheme to engage school children and local community groups with STEM and the construction industry.
This year, the North Bridge Refurbishment project has the pleasure of collaborating with Preston Street Primary School.
Contact Details
If you have any questions related to this newsletter or the North Bridge Refurbishment Project, please contact Rory McFadden on:
M: 07784 211 459
E: rory.mcfadden@balfourbeatty.com