Our repair of Rock Park Bridge in Barnstaple is taking longer than expected after divers discovered that the bridge’s below-riverbed foundations were inadequate to support the structure
This means that this month’s reopening of the bridge will be delayed.
We have contracted Dyer & Butler, supported by their Devon based sub-contractor Teignmouth Maritime Services, to complete the work for us.
The repair work is the largest structural maintenance project we are currently carrying out.
A large jack-up barge is being used to support the bridge while specialist divers strengthen the bridge’s two ‘in-water’ iron support columns by attaching large steel ‘sleeves’ that will contain a reinforced concrete ring.
To do this, divers had to first remove rocks and debris from the riverbed to expose a section of pier to fix the sleeves onto.
However they discovered that the poor condition of the wrought iron columns extended well down below riverbed level, which meant that the bottom of the steel repair sleeves had nothing to fix into.
To resolve the issue engineers have had to significantly modify the design of the repair to include a reinforced concrete pad foundation.
The former railway bridge has been closed for safety reasons since May 2020 after a routine dive inspection discovered holes in one of the columns.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s cabinet Member for Highways Management said:
“Unfortunately the very nature of the work below the waterline means that there was always a risk of unforeseen circumstances delaying the work. This project has become the single largest structural maintenance activity we are carrying out in Devon and is exceptionally challenging, but we do have the best engineers in the County working on this.
“Once the work is completed the extra protection to both of the in-water columns will ensure their resilience for many years to come. We are expecting an estimate on when the works will be completed over the next week or so.
“I’m very sorry for the inconveneince. Please be assured we will open the bridge as soon as it is safe to do so.”
The local County Councillor for Barnstaple South Councillor Caroline Leaver said:
“Like many residents I am very keen to see the bridge repaired and opened again as soon as possible. It is a vital link for pedestrians and cyclists for work, school, informal leisure, shopping and the newly opened Tarka Leisure Centre. The bridge is part of the strategic National Cycle Network, and vital to work encouraging active travel and tackling climate change. It cannot open soon enough.”
The local County Councillor for Barnstaple North, Councillor Ian Roome said:
“With repair work like this conducted below the water line there are always uncertainties that could lead to delays. Once we receive the update on when the work will be completed from the contractor, we will share it with the public.”
