Perspective

UK Bridges

2Royal HaskoningDHV Perspective UK Bridges

3 Royal HaskoningDHV Perspective UK Bridges

Contents Introduction 3

Bridges & flood alleviation 4-7

Bridges for new developments 8-9

Bridge inspections & assessments 10-11

Bridges supporting ecology 12-13

Royal HaskoningDHV is one of Europe’s leading project management, engineering and consultancy providers. With a strategic global presence, it provides an extensive range of multidisciplinary services that relate to aviation, buildings, energy, industry, infrastructure, maritime, mining, rural areas, urban areas and water. With a worldwide network of professionals and strong industry relationships established over 130 years, its extensive expertise and experience provides a fully integrated ‘one-company’ approach to projects. Respected thought leaders within its market sectors, Royal HaskoningDHV is renowned for its technical excellence, developing, designing and delivering successful innovative and sustainable solutions that enhance society.

Transport is vital to our economy, and bridges play a crucial role by providing vehicle, rail and pedestrian links across roads, railways, rivers and valleys. The right bridge in the right place can help save time, money and fuel, reducing congestion and pollution for everyone and providing safe pedestrian access.

In the UK, Royal HaskoningDHV is involved in numerous schemes covering a range of services, including adapting bridges to aid flood alleviation, inspecting and assessing existing bridges for condition and load capacity and planning and designing bridges for new developments. Where appropriate, we procure and manage material investigations and testing by specialist sub-consultants.

We support and advise on all aspects of safe, sustainable bridge planning, construction and maintenance, whether we are working directly for developers, government agencies, national charities, public bodies, private clients and local authorities, or in conjunction with civil and river engineers, environmental scientists and transport planners.

We have also had a major involvement in the Wicken Fen Vision – the largest conservation project in lowland England. Here we provided preliminary and detailed designs for the Reach Lode Bridge which allows walkers, cyclists and horse riders enhanced access to the nature reserve. Our multidisciplinary service included environmental scoping, flood risk assessment, geotechnical engineering and quantity surveying. As well as procuring contractors and managing construction works, we also provided preliminary and detailed designs for the site’s approach embankments, and a 1,200-metre cycle-way.

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4Royal HaskoningDHV Perspective UK Bridges

Bridges & flood alleviationRoyal HaskoningDHV is a market leader in the field of flood and coastal risk management, delivering schemes from concept to construction for a range of Risk Management Authorities. The solutions developed and designed are suited to the specific problem, but regularly include increasing the flow capacity of the watercourse. These channel improvements frequently require modification or replacement of existing bridges.

Royal HaskoningDHV’s bridge design specialists work closely with river engineers, environmental scientists and transport planners to establish exactly what is needed to achieve the best solution. The focus is on innovative, sustainable and environmentally sound solutions that will enhance society, and make a significant contribution to flood protection.

ElginThe £86 million Elgin flood alleviation scheme is the largest flood scheme to be promoted to date in Scotland. The scheme protects around 750 homes and 250 businesses. Three new bridges are being constructed as part of the scheme. One of these is a replacement for Pansport Bridge, which spans both the existing river and a new flood relief channel.

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7 Royal HaskoningDHV Perspective UK Bridges

Bridges & flood alleviationMoray Flood Alleviation, ScotlandRoyal HaskoningDHV are proud to be part of Moray Flood Alleviation, which is an integrated team comprising the Moray Council (Client), Royal HaskoningDHV (Designer), Morrison Construction (Contractor) and EC Harris (Cost Consultant). Moray Flood Alleviation was formed in 2001 after several communities in Moray were devastated by flooding. Five separate schemes have been identified, planned, designed and constructed since 2001. Four of these schemes require alterations to or replacement bridges.

RothesRothes has an unenviable history of flooding, with sixteen flood events officially recorded since 1755. The £25 million Rothes flood alleviation scheme is a conveyance solution, designed to contain flows within set back and/or a re-profiled channel that passes through a landscape that has primarily been urbanised. The scheme includes the demolition and replacement of three vehicular bridges, a former railway bridge and six culverts.

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9Royal HaskoningDHV Perspective UK Bridges

Bridges for new developmentsBridges are a vital part of any new development, allowing access over or under other roads, footpaths, rivers or railways. New bridges may need to be constructed or existing bridges adapted to provide additional lanes, to cater for anticipated rise in traffic volumes, and to ease traffic flow.

Safe and efficient access for vehicles and pedestrians to a new development is a key consideration. Ensuring existing traffic continues to flow between local amenities and surrounding areas is crucial. New roads, footpaths and bridges require careful planning when developing sites to ensure sustainability of the surrounding environment is maintained, or improved. Where brownfield sites are re-developed, access routes may need to be adjusted to cater for higher volumes of traffic.

Royal HaskoningDHV always explores innovative techniques to encourage a green approach for new or expanding developments. Its geotechnical engineers, land remediation experts, environmental scientists and expertise in detailed highway and construction design ensures sustainable, cost-effective, practical and appropriate schemes are delivered that match expectations.

Innovative thinkingWhen a quarry company wanted to continue excavations on the opposite side of a busy road, an underpass was required to enable access for large vehicles. The original plan was to close the road, excavate underneath and rebuild the original bridge. Instead we developed an innovative plan to build a precast concrete unit with a novel joint, which allowed it to be constructed on site. This solution reduced costs, construction time, and disturbance to the environment and road users.

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11 Royal HaskoningDHV Perspective UK Bridges

Bridge inspections & assessmentsSince 1993, Royal HaskoningDHV’s engineers have inspected and assessed more than 2000 bridges throughout the UK, from simple stone arches and concrete culverts to multi-span viaducts. During this time it has developed a wide range of bridge structure related civil engineering skills, knowledge and experience.

Inspections ensure the safety and long term serviceability of a structure, so undertaking regular checks, noting defects and recommending repairs or mitigating actions is crucial. The national programme of highway bridge inspections requires every highway bridge to undergo a principal inspection every six years.

As part of this programme Royal HaskoningDHV inspects and assesses bridges on behalf of local authorities to ensure load capacity is sufficient for modern traffic requirements.

A key aspect of its inspection work includes ‘category three’ or third party checks on large structures to provide independent verification that designs are compliant with agreed criteria and design standards. Based on this check Royal HaskoningDHV may advise on design modifications which could improve safety and long term serviceability.

Working with the Environment AgencyWorking in partnership with the Environment Agency, we routinely check bridges in the North of England for safety and repair works. Bridge repairs in this area have become a high priority as increased flooding can cause structural damage.

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13 Royal HaskoningDHV Perspective UK Bridges

Bridges supporting ecologyRoyal HaskoningDHV’s mission is to create solutions for sustainable interaction between people and their environment. This is achieved by designing bridges that take into account the surrounding habitat and ecology of a site, ensuring a positive footprint is left behind.

Wicken Fen Vision is part of a 100-year National Trust strategy to increase the size of one of the most important wetlands in Europe by bringing adjacent land into conservation management. Reach Lode Bridge and its adjoining cycleway opened in September 2010, providing access to the area and many new walking and cycling routes.

A key requirement was that the construction of the bridge had minimal impact on the environment and used sustainable processes. The design uses natural materials, such as oak cladding. The essential structural steelworks are designed to oxidize to a ‘silvery grey’ colour. Over time the steelwork will take on the appearance of natural timber. We were able to reduce construction traffic by using locally sourced clay to construct the sloped ramps at either end of the bridge. Depressions in the land created by the excavation filled naturally from the waterway to form shallow ponds, creating new wildlife habitats.

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15Royal HaskoningDHV Perspective UK Bridges

To find out how Royal HaskoningDHV can bring its experience and expertise to your project contact Melissa Hipwell or David Bone on 01733 334455.melissa.hipwell@rhdhv.comdavid.bone@rhdhv.com

For further information about Royal HaskoningDHV please visit our website at royalhaskoningdhv.com

Keep up to date with our news at: www.twitter.com/rhdhv_uk

“Royal HaskoningDHV’s innovative construction techniques and commitment to benefiting the environment ensured a sustainable outcome that fits with the Wicken Fen Vision. The new bridge will improve public access to our magnificent countryside, increasing opportunities for local residents and visitors to enjoy the unique land and skyscapes of the Fens.”

Chris Soans, Property Operations Manager for Wicken Fen

royalhaskoningdhv.com

Royal HaskoningDHV is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy with more than 130 years of experience. Its head office is in the Netherlands, other principal offices are in the United Kingdom and South Africa. In addition, solid track records have been established over the years through offices in Indonesia, Thailand and the Americas; and we have a long standing presence in Africa and the Middle East.

Backed by the expertise and experience of 7,000 colleagues all over the world, our professionals combine global expertise with local knowledge to deliver a multidisciplinary range of professional engineering, consultancy and project

management services in aviation, buildings, infrastructure, industry, energy and mining, planning and strategy, transport and asset management, rivers, deltas and coasts, and water technology all over the world from 100 office in 35 countries.

By showing leadership in sustainable development and innovation, together with our clients, we are working to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future.

Today, the company ranks in the top 50 of independently owned, non-listed engineering companies worldwide and 13th in Europe.