Berw Bridge - The White Bridge
Ian Callaway
27/05/24
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In 1892, French engineer Francois Hennebique (1842-1921) invented a system of reinforced concrete using mild steel bars. He trained and licensed agents in the technique, and one of them was Louis Gustave Mouchel (1852-1908) who brought the then so called “ferro-concrete” to Britain in 1897. The Hennebique system was used by Watkin Williams & Page to construct the Berw Road Bridge between 1907-09. In the late 1960s a gunite coating, along with mesh was applied to protect the structure.
The bridge has a single arch spanning the river and narrower outer round-headed arches. It is Listed Grade II* as a major road bridge belonging to the first generation of reinforced concrete construction, a type of structure now exceptionally rare in Wales.
After a survey was carried out by CRL Surveys, CRL were appointed by the Council to formulate a plan to repair and preserve the bridge. After trials were carried out to confirm the methodology of the repairs, CRL Bristol worked closely with the RCTCBC to scope the elements of the works, produce a specification and a Bill of Quantities, acquire the design of Galvanic CP for repairs, obtain ‘Listed Building Consent’ and produce/apply for a Flood Risk Activity Permit to carry out the works.
CRL were tasked with the removal of some 150 tonnes of gunite in a phased approach and under strict loading conditions. In addition, some 700 repairs were carried out, along with the installation of 1100 anodes and 700 new steel links to reconnect the original steel used in the Hennebique design .
30,000 new fixings were also installed to allow for 160 tons of new gunite to be applied (all subject to CADW listed building consent). The Bridge was finally coated with a white protective and decorative water based coating.
All the work was carried out over the heavily monitored River Taff and subject to strict embargos due to wildlife and ecology.
After two years the project end is in sight with the cost almost doubled from the original award value of £1.6Mil. The project was carried out under the NEC 4 Design and Build contract.
Project Manager - Ian Callaway
Contracts Manager - Roger Southwell
Senior Foreman - Mark Beddis
Student Engineers - Jack Davies / Ethan Hughes
The bridge has a single arch spanning the river and narrower outer round-headed arches. It is Listed Grade II* as a major road bridge belonging to the first generation of reinforced concrete construction, a type of structure now exceptionally rare in Wales.
After a survey was carried out by CRL Surveys, CRL were appointed by the Council to formulate a plan to repair and preserve the bridge. After trials were carried out to confirm the methodology of the repairs, CRL Bristol worked closely with the RCTCBC to scope the elements of the works, produce a specification and a Bill of Quantities, acquire the design of Galvanic CP for repairs, obtain ‘Listed Building Consent’ and produce/apply for a Flood Risk Activity Permit to carry out the works.
CRL were tasked with the removal of some 150 tonnes of gunite in a phased approach and under strict loading conditions. In addition, some 700 repairs were carried out, along with the installation of 1100 anodes and 700 new steel links to reconnect the original steel used in the Hennebique design .
30,000 new fixings were also installed to allow for 160 tons of new gunite to be applied (all subject to CADW listed building consent). The Bridge was finally coated with a white protective and decorative water based coating.
All the work was carried out over the heavily monitored River Taff and subject to strict embargos due to wildlife and ecology.
After two years the project end is in sight with the cost almost doubled from the original award value of £1.6Mil. The project was carried out under the NEC 4 Design and Build contract.
Project Manager - Ian Callaway
Contracts Manager - Roger Southwell
Senior Foreman - Mark Beddis
Student Engineers - Jack Davies / Ethan Hughes
Grade II* cadw listed structure of historical importance