Baldwins Bridge, Eton, Berkshire
Thames Valley Scaffold were invited to tender for the scaffolding package on the refurbishment of this bridge. A decorating contractor that we have worked for over many years had been appointed to carry out these prestigious works by the Baldwins Bridge Trust. Baldwins Bridge Trust are a charitable organisation responsible for the upkeep of this bridge, which is situated on Eton High Street, adjacent to Eton College in Berkshire.
The scaffold was required to access the underside of the steel section bridge along with both side elevations. The scope of the contractor’s works was to clean and repaint the metal work, so working lift heights were carefully considered at the design stage and confirmed on site at the pre-start meeting.
Baldwins Bridge crosses a tributary of the nearby River Thames and although not a fast flowing nor deep section of water, all the necessary permissions needed to be granted. Thames Valley Scaffold liaised with the Environment Agency to provide structural drawings, task specific risk assessments and method statements along with all the required insurance details to satisfy the agency that we had the appropriate skill sets to successfully complete this project.
During the initial site survey our health and safety manager noted that the area to the side of the water is a popular location for tourists, college students and locals to enjoy a cup of coffee and lunch. It was quickly established that banksmen would be needed on site at all times to ensure a safe working area could be maintained around the work site and that access to the seating areas could be maintained at all times. Physically working in water required wellington boots, waders and waterproof gloves to be worn in addition to the usual personal protective equipment. Thames Valley Scaffold also provided a cleaning station with towels, soap and water and sanitizer in the event an operative was to fall into the water.
At Thames Valley Scaffold we relish the opportunity to work on the more bespoke and challenging scaffold installations and this was no different, this scaffold was delivered on time in a safe and efficient manner.