Lewins Mead

The requirements

Located in the centre of Bristol, a 1950s concrete walkway required demolition as part of a redevelopment project.

The bridge spanned Lewins Mead, one of Bristol’s busiest roads, carrying approximately 40,000 vehicles per day. A temporary works solution was therefore required to facilitate demolition of the structure while minimising disruption to the road network below.

Programme was a key driver in the development of the temporary works design. Installation had to be completed within a 24-hour period, commencing on Friday evening, allowing sufficient time for demolition of the bridge before the temporary works were dismantled on Sunday night in readiness for Monday morning.

The temporary works structure was required to support the self-weight of the bridge throughout the demolition process, with loads reaching up to 150kN/m.

Our solution

TRS Group designed a modular temporary propping structure using off-the-shelf components to enable a fast and efficient installation.

By utilising components with a high axial load capacity, the design reduced the quantity of equipment required on site, helping to minimise both material costs and installation time while still providing the necessary support to the existing structure.

Throughout the works, TRS Group maintained a continuous on-site presence, enabling rapid adaptations to site conditions and minimising delays. This collaborative approach helped ensure the bridge demolition was completed safely, efficiently and within the restricted programme.