ISS Ltd are proud to be undertaking the scaffolding element of the Tyne Bridge refurbishment scheme for Esh Construction over the River Tyne between Newcastle and Gateshead. Access is to be provided largely for steel repairs and blasting & painting works to be carried out.

The project has presented several challenges for us to overcome thus far, primarily redistributing the load imposed by our scaffold back to strategic locations on the Gateshead quayside to avoid the businesses below which have remained live throughout the scheme. This consists of 13 towers nestled between the existing businesses to avoid any disruption. Some of these towers are made up of as many as 15 legs with a maximum leg load around a cluster of legs of 200kN. All of this carries a huge 22m x 20m protection deck above the Gateshead quayside so works above can progress completely isolated from everyone below.

Just to add to the already challenging scope, the bridge remains home to the furthest in land breeding colony of Kittiwake seabirds in the world. As such, provision for their breeding has been facilitated by way of kittiwake hotels installed on the existing main bridge towers whilst the structural steel they are familiar with remains contained and sealed for the refurbishment works.

Installation of the first phase of work is now complete with blasting works soon to commence. Subsequent phases will see scaffold being erected in a similar fashion on the Newcastle quayside next before we tackle the main span access over the river next year and then the main arch works the following year.

Back in 1999, before the days of aluminium beams being used so extensively in scaffolding, ISS’s very own Managing Director was a key member of the scaffolding team delivering this prestigious project and there is a great deal of pride for him and the team at ISS to be once again involved on such an iconic structure, and especially to be in involved in such a different approach this time around, inclusive of so many innovations in engineering being adopted to provide the most efficient solution possible.

OTHER PROJECTS

High Level Bridge

Swaithe Viaduct

Wylam Bridge

Craigallachie Bridge

Churn Valley Viaduct

Queen Elizabeth II School

ISS are proud to have undertaking the scaffolding element of the High Level Bridge part refurbishment scheme.

The structure certain members of our team provided scaffold on nearly 20 years ago and it was a privilege to be once again delivering the scaffold and containment on such an iconic structure in our home city over the River Tyne.

As structures such as this age, their ability to facilitate loads change, and as such its always interesting to better understand these challenges and develop new solutions to provide access.

The project presented several challenges for us to overcome, primarily redistributing the load imposed by our scaffold back to the main arches of the bridge. The solution in this case being to install ladder beam details along the profile of the arches, carrying a 750mm X beam detail above the existing footpaths. The foot path has then been core drilled to allow drop tubes hung from the X beam detail to carry matching longitudinal 750mm X beams below the bridge without clashing with any of the structural steel beneath the road deck. 450mm beams have then been underslung to create a complete underdeck with zero contact points across the elements of the bridge to be worked on. The beam and hanger detail has then provided a structural backdrop onto which we could shrink wrap and final seal the scaffold to create a complete weather containment for blasting & painting works to commence. An elegant and efficient solution to a complex problem.

Our experience and expertise ensures we remain the first choice for providing specialist scaffold and access to the region’s critical infrastructure.

OTHER PROJECTS

Tyne Bridge

Swaithe Viaduct

Wylam Bridge

Craigallachie Bridge

Churn Valley Viaduct

Queen Elizabeth II School

ISS utilised a custom equipment distribution system known as the ISS bogey system for the Swaithe Viaduct. 

This system features a tailored track system constructed from scaffold tubes, which are laid out on the scaffold working platform, spanning the entire length of the bridge, the tubes are connected using a specialised fitting that fits inside both tubes, creating a seamless finish. This design enabled us to distribute our scaffolding along the full length of the bridge from a single loading bay located at one end. 

The bogey can be operated by just one worker, which significantly reduced the number of personnel required for the project and expedited the delivery of equipment to the work face. This efficiency was crucial due to the project’s timeline constraints. Our client had initially intended to install a suspended Niko track system on the scaffold, allowing the steel repair contractor to transport new steel lengths to and from the work face. However, this approach posed several challenges due to the load limitations of the bridge and the potential fixing points, consequently the bogey system facilitated the mounting and swift movement of large steel sections to the work face, resulting in considerable labor and time savings for the contractors involved.

“We are extremely proud to say we won the NASC 2022 for project of the year (small) fantastic effort by everyone involved on Swaithe Viaduct Project and for it to be recognised by the NASC is an achievement in itself!”

Mark Buglass , ISS Chairman

OTHER PROJECTS

Tyne Bridge

High Level Bridge

Wylam Bridge

Craigallachie Bridge

Churn Valley Viaduct

Queen Elizabeth II School

ISS were tasked to supply a bespoke design solution for the Wylam bridge to get around the environmental envelope that was in place that we couldn’t encroach. 

Our team at ISS developed a cantilevered arrangement of smaller (450mm) beams positioned sufficiently away from the last connection point beneath the bridge to enable a load case for blasting and painting access 4m from the bridge. The only feasible method to accomplish this was through the construction of towers erected at each pier leg, which would support spine beams extending the entire length of the bridge, onto which we could place the cantilevered section of underdeck beams. However, this presented a challenge as the river’s water flow rates had previously led to substantial debris being transported downstream and accumulating around the pier legs, posing a risk that this debris could exert destructive forces on our pier leg support towers. Consequently, we needed to design fenders on either side of the towers, constructed with scaffold boards to deflect any river debris and safeguard the scaffold. The ISS team had to create box sections of 450mm beams above to provide a braced solution that would prevent the base of the towers from being uplifted during significant water flow conditions.

OTHER PROJECTS

Tyne Bridge

High Level Bridge

Swaithe Viaduct

Craigallachie Bridge

Churn Valley Viaduct

Queen Elizabeth II School

ISS were asked to to look at access scaffold for Craigallachie Bridge which is typically constructed from the ground up to the required height or suspended from the bridge’s structural steelwork. 

The initial challenge was to create a detail that could handle the complete load from the entire scaffold we intended to suspend from the bridge. The subsequent challenge was to establish a method for providing our own access to install this detail, as there was no other means of reaching that area initially. Our approach involved installing the first set of tie tubes across the width of the bridge, after which we designed a cantilevered section to facilitate access to the next tie point, allowing us to install those ties and construct another cantilever section.

ISS engaged our fully qualified civil engineers to develop the scaffold designs and assess product capacities, the advanced scaffolder qualified management teams, along with site teams, are focused on evaluating the feasibility of the installation and determining whether the tube configurations can be effectively implemented in critical locations.

OTHER PROJECTS

Tyne Bridge

High Level Bridge

Swaithe Viaduct

Wylam Bridge

Churn Valley Viaduct

Queen Elizabeth II School

ISS were instructed on this project to supply the access scaffold to the seven-span bridge carrying the motorway between Swindon and Gloucester.

The works comprised of ISS erecting a slung scaffold to the bridge underdeck for grit blast and painting works. This posed several problems to overcome, not least because the bridge is completely inaccessible, being in the river flood plain.

ISS had the solution though, with our own unique runway system, which allowed us to transfer our scaffold material safely from the compound to the bridge, some 250m away.

The runway was then left in place for the client to utilise for their own works.

“ISS have been the most professional scaffolding contractor I have utilised in the past few years” 

Galliford Try, Dave Howells / Project Manager

OTHER PROJECTS

Tyne Bridge

High Level Bridge

Swaithe Viaduct

Wylam Bridge

Craigallachie Bridge

Queen Elizabeth II School

ISS were the preferred scaffolding contractor to build a new education campus in Hexham.

Comprising an extensive new-build project and the retention of the Grade II listed Hydro building, the scheme involved designing many complex scaffolds including supporting the existing building.

The Grade II listed Hydro building was to be retained and the new buildings developed to its rear – with the middle school to the south and high school to the north, adjoining the existing Hydro building.

ISS worked hand-in hand with our client, often working outside normal working hours, and designed many complex scaffolds, including support scaffolds and truss-outs that enabled works to progress below, therefore cutting any lost time or programme overrun.

“ISS have provided a range of services at Hexham Schools, but for me what makes them stand out is their technical knowledge temporary works design which is amongst the best I’ve seen. and professionalism”

Galliford Try, Paul Mares / Senior Project Manager

OTHER PROJECTS

Tyne Bridge

High Level Bridge

Swaithe Viaduct

Wylam Bridge

Craigallachie Bridge

Churn Valley Viaduct

ISS were instructed to design and build a temporary works structure to support British Telecom cables once the existing Bailey bridge carrying them was dismantled.

The project needed close collaboration with the client to ensure sequence of works are carried out on time, to programme to minimise any disruption.

The first stage was to erect the support towers either side of the carriageway. The tower bases were encased in concrete and back-filled.

The bridging beam section was then made up on ground and craned into position. The cable conduit and cables were then moved from the existing bridge to the new support bridge.

Both towers were then back-filled up to the bottom chord of the bridging beam, then cables were removed and re-positioned to new ground height. 

The bridging beam section was then dismantled and all surplus scaffold above new ground level was cut away.

“Working on our most recent projects, ISS have delivered a competitive, professional service across all aspects within the project. Incorporating a full design and build process from basic to complex scaffolding”

Northumberland County Council, Kris Westerby / Highways Delivery Manager

OTHER PROJECTS

Tyne Bridge

High Level Bridge

Swaithe Viaduct

Wylam Bridge

Craigallachie Bridge

Churn Valley Viaduct

ISS designed and built a bespoke slung access scaffold and containment to the underside of the three-span railway underbridge spanning the river Derwent in Derbyshire, next to Derby County football ground.

Access was needed to the bridge parapets and full encapsulation for steelwork repairs and grit blast to restore the bridge to its former glory.

“It has been a pleasure to have ISS on site and I look forward to working with them on future projects”

Galliford Try, Dave Howells / Project Manager

OTHER PROJECTS

Tyne Bridge

High Level Bridge

Swaithe Viaduct

Wylam Bridge

Craigallachie Bridge

Churn Valley Viaduct