Autor: Isabel Caruana

THE BRIEF Robert West was commissioned to develop a design for strengthening the footbridge dating from circa 1886 whilst minimising disruption to public access. VALUE-ADDED SOLUTION The following strengthening and refurbishment works were designed:provision of new outriggers restraining the top flange of each girdersprovision of new end frames, end posts and bearing assemblies to replace the existing ones in order to reinstate the original load path on to the existing cast-iron trestlerepair the strengthening of lattices based on either condition and/or strengthprovision of vertical transverse bracing between steel columnsfull grit blasting and protective paintwork treatmentrepair and refurbishment works to trestle and landingreinstatement of anti-slip surfacing, timber decking and drainage.FINAL OUTCOMES A Grip 3/4 design was prepared for AIP submission and achieved approval Share BACK TO PROJECTS

THE BRIEF Robert West, appointed through the Transport for London framework, faced the challenge of redesigning and strengthening a four-storey building to serve as the new Piccadilly Line Control Centre. The redevelopment included creating space for a control centre, equipment rooms, office, and staff accommodation. A critical client requirement was to enhance the building's blast resilience, and Robert West was responsible for the intricate design associated with this aspect.VALUE-ADDED SOLUTION The design began in April 2016 and was completed to a very challenging programme. Site works have been progressing since January 2017 and have reached completion. We have been providing on-site assistance during the implementation phase and also acted as the Temporary Works Coordinator, working closely with the contractor throughout.FINAL OUTCOMES We are confident that the high-end finish will delight…

THE BRIEF A coordinated design of the new eastern entrance and exit to Shadwell Station, located between Bank, Tower Gateway Stations and Limehouse Station. Access and egress from the station took place from the western end of the station, via the formal entrance on Watney Street. A staircase and lift provide access from street level to platform level above. The eastern new exit and entrance is located in Shadwell Place, a pedestrian way, off Sutton Street and was designated as an emergency exit.  The brief specified items to be retained, removed and modified, including retention of the existing staircase and support structure.  VALUE-ADDED SOLUTION The team designed all of the specified works in accordance with the brief that included balustrades, the stair enclosure, a high level bowstring frame, goal post supports,…

THE BRIEF Oxford Road footbridge is located near Clacton-On-Sea station on the Colchester to Clacton line. It was constructed in circa 1920. The footbridge carries a footpath between Oxford Road and Clacton Leisure Centre, with a single span over four Network Rail tracks. There is Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) in place over each track supported by gantries. The bridge was in poor condition and was identified for deck replacement with a trestle modification scheme.The proposed intervention work included replacing the main span and landings with a new steel plate girder structure and landings. The new main span and landings were adapted from Network Rail’s standard non-station footbridge details and suited to the longer clear span requirement of 28 metres approximately.VALUE-ADDED SOLUTION The existing trestle supports and stairways were assessed for re-use, strengthened…

THE BRIEF A pedestrian footbridge, originally built in the late 1800’s, had been identified as unsafe and was closed to the public in January 2019.Robert West engineers were commissioned by Leeke Associates (lead designers for the scheme) to undertake the Temporary Works design for the removal of the bridge in a similar way to that shown in our video of the removal of Oxford Road footbridge.The footbridge provided pedestrians and cyclists with a method of crossing from one side of the railway line to the other. Our Transport Planners are undertaking a feasibility study to identify the effect of the removal of the bridge for members of the public.VALUE-ADDED SOLUTION The engineering team reviewed historic documentation, undertook site visits, pieced the information together and undertook calculations to assess how the…

THE BRIEF Robert West are once again involved with the Crossrail project as the changes it brings require modernisation across the rail network.Crossrail trains utilise Driver Only Operation (DOO) technology and require new cameras and associated cable routes at Crossrail stations to enable the system to operate.At Twyford Station in Buckinghamshire Robert West were commissioned by Fourway Communications to carry out the civil design for the DOO scheme. This included the design of the concrete foundations for the DOO cameras, the associated cable routing, canopy camera brackets and a structural assessment of the existing station canopy.VALUE-ADDED SOLUTION Starting with a design team meeting in April 2019 the Robert West team worked closely with Fourway Communications to deliver the scheme. Using the Projectwise platform enabled the team to work on the engineering…

THE BRIEF The Department for Transport recently announced a £150m upgrade scheme for Gatwick Airport station and preparation work is now underway.Robert West was appointed by Lowery to complete the enabling works design associated with the diversion of High Voltage (HV), Low Voltage (LV) and signalling power cables from the rear of Platform 7 at Gatwick station to between Platforms 7 and 6. The works included two under track crossings (UTX) for the cables and a glass reinforced polymer (GRP) elevated trough route.VALUE-ADDED SOLUTION The solution provided an electrically compliant design despite a number of constraints in the working area. Robert West was also able to adapt and amend the design of the UTX’s to suit client needs following design reviews.A bill of quantities based on the computer aided design…

THE BRIEF A programme of replacing and refurbishing structures and delivering improvements to rail stations is underway across the UK.  Robert West are providing design assurance services for the structural repair, refurbishment and re-decoration of footbridges at four stations in the South East of England. VALUE-ADDED SOLUTION To assess the need for repairs and to identify the scope for the works required to be undertaken to preserve and safeguard the footbridge structures for the future Robert West have:reviewed background reportsundertaken surveys and prepared reportsproduced scheme refurbishment drawings including works specificationsspecified the method and products for repairs required to be usedThe footbridges have varied from:traditional lattice with timber treadsconcrete slab on steel with supporting columnssteel undercroft structure with a concrete bridge and steps.All structural metalwork has been cleaned and repaired prior to…