Take a look at the progress we are making to carry out the essential major refurbishment of the Union Chain Bridge.
Works commenced on site in August 2020 and we are pleased to say we are making excellent progress including;
The completion of the construction of an on-site welfare and maintenance facility to manage and supervise the site works within Honey Chain Farms land. This facility is where all the elements of the bridge will be taken once removed and is where essential refurbishment of the iconic bridge components will be carried out.
We have also completed the construction of a compound adjacent to the Scottish tower to gain access for essential construction vehicles such as cranes and delivery vehicles. This compound is also used to turn the vehicles around to allow them to leave the site due to the restricted access around the bridge.
We recently undertook the diversion of the British Telecom’s cable that was suspended beneath the bridge. This is the final utility to be removed from the bridge, which allows the dismantling works to commence.
Other works recently started include the construction of a steel frame access tower immediately in the front of the English tower which will be used to carry out the essential masonry repair works and to provide access to the top of the tower for the installation of new rock anchors which will strengthen the structure once re-built.
We were pleased to report progress on a key part of our method in the assembly, erection and commissioning of a temporary access system that will carry access cradles over the bridge and a platform beneath to allow workers close access to all elements of the bridge structure during dismantling. This system ensures that we do not need to work from the River Tweed.
Finally, we have removed all of the street furniture and signs from adjacent to the bridge, which are all safely stored in our Honey Farm compound.
