Lifting Bridge M+E Refurbishment Progress
At Fairfields we are working hard to minimise the effect that Covid-19 developments has on our clientele and our project pipeline. In response to the increasing restrictions, the team onsite at our South East lifting bridge project pulled out all the stops to expedite progress as much as possible before the inevitable government instruction came, and we took the decision to close site.
Since our last update the pair of replacement cylinders has been delivered to site and installed. The obsolete control system has also been de-commissioned with the new system and safety upgrades installed ready to commission. As part of the mechanical upgrade, the 35-year-old cylinders were recovered and replaced with upgraded modern equivalents, a hydraulic recovery system was installed to the bridge, as well as investigative and repair works to the tail locking systems. All of this was undertaken within a controlled confined space. The works have further reinforced the 1980’s documentation to provide compliant technical files and O&M manuals.
On news of the site closing, our on-site team carefully returned the bridge to a safe state, returning covers and guards as well as removing traffic management to prevent disruption to traffic while work is halted. Following the closure, the construction phase plan, permits and all other documentation have been updated to reflect the current situation. A recommencement plan has been developed to ensure commissioning of the bridge can resume and be concluded promptly once the site re-opens.
In the meantime, the Fairfields teams continue to work from home, with all efforts focused on future projects for the UK’s critical infrastructure. We’re ensuring Design, Procurement and Manufacture can be completed despite the current Covid-19 measures in place. We believe it is vital to maintain not only our own workflow but also that of our valued supply chain, so that once we beat Covid-19 and the world begins to return to normal, we can remobilise to sites as soon as possible.
