Avonmouth Bridge makes it to 50 with some fine-tuning

20/05/2024 | CHRIS AMES

National Highways has highlighted its range of complex, often unseen, works on the M5 Avonmouth Bridge as it marks its 50th anniversary.

The government-owned company is currently undertaking a programme of welding on the underside of the bridge over the River Avon near Bristol, which carries an average 125,000 vehicles per day.

It said large water crossings such as Avonmouth, the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge and M48 Severn Bridge require specific maintenance and inspection regimes, and all three are now looked after by is Specialist Bridges Inspection and Maintenance (SBIM) team.

Abseiling engineers and cradle platforms have been employed as part of inspection and maintenance work, while at road level the bridge expansion joints are routinely inspected, assessed and repaired.

National Highways teams have been carrying out extensive welding within the structure since October, unseen by the travelling public, underneath the bridge, along the parapets and within the chambers and mezzanine flooring of the structure.

Terry Robinson, National Highways’ South West Engineering Team leader, said: ‘Through a programme of structural inspections, investigations and assessments we ensure that substandard and potentially vulnerable structures are identified, safeguarding measures adopted, and like the Avonmouth Bridge and Wynhol Viaduct, fully maintained for many years to come.’

Paula Hewitt, chair of the South West Infrastructure Partnership, said: ‘Looking after our critical infrastructure to ensure it can meet the future needs of the region is essential and it is great to see National Highways investing in the bridge’s maintenance to ensure it is able to meet our future needs.’

Shane Stephens, senior inspection assurance manager for National Highways’ SBIM team, said: ‘Like all the infrastructure across the Strategic Road Network, the Avonmouth bridge requires plenty of TLC, and one of the main challenges is to ensure safe access for the inspection and maintenance work around this large and significant structure.

‘The Avonmouth Bridge, like the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge and the M48 Severn Bridge, is a real feat of engineering, and as current custodians, we take a lot of pride in our work as we move into the next 50 years of its life.’

Designed by Freeman Fox and Partners, construction of the original six-lane bridge began in 1969. 

Completion was delayed by two years following construction issues with similar box girder structures in Melbourne, Koblenz and Milford Haven.

After further strengthening work. it opened for traffic on 24 May 1974, just weeks after Abba won the Eurovision song contest.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Senior Highway Engineer (Development Management)

£42679.0000 - £50211.0000 per annum
Senior Highway Engineer (Development Management)Permanent, Full Time£43,960 to £51,718 per annum*Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Project Manager (Major Projects)

£44,711 - £47,754
Are you an experienced project professional or engineer with looking to take the next step in your career? Halifax, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Senior Civil Engineer - Roads

£45,894 - £54,952
Are you an experienced engineer looking to support the Scottish Government’s national objectives. Scotland
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Senior Civil Engineering Technician

Grade 7 £29,093 to £32,654 per annum
We are looking for a flexible individual who has the ability to meet targets and analyse and resolve complex technical problems and formulate a design Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Project Team Manager

£55,147 to £60,676 per annum
We are pleased to be able to offer an opportunity for a role as Design Team Manager Norwich, Norfolk
Recruiter: Norfolk County Council

Clerk of Works

GRADE 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
Warrington is one of the most successful towns in the country Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Assistant Projects Engineer

GRADE 06 (£29,093 - £32,654),GRADE 07 (£33,366 - £37,035), GRADE 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
Warrington is one of the most successful towns in the country Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Traffic Management

£45,718 - £48,710 per annum
At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives. Bath, Somerset
Recruiter: Bath & North East Somerset Council

Vehicle Technician - Improver

£28,624 - £30,060
Transport Services is responsible for all aspects of transport and related services Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Principal Engineer - Highways Safety

£37,035 - £45,718 (plus £3000 Market Rate Supplement, reviewed annually)
To help achieve our ambition we are looking for a Principal Engineer with the following skills and experience to join the team. Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Part Time Caretaker and General Hand

Up to £25081.00 per annum + Full Time Equivalent
Part Time Caretaker and General HandPermanent, Part Time£25,081 Per Annum, Full Time Equivalent, equal to £13.00 per hourLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Programme Delivery Office Administrator

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum
At Derbyshire, we have been on a journey to transform the way we deliver highway services to make them fit for the future Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Support Officer - Highways Asset Management Systems

£31,586 - £34,314
We are a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to maintaining and improving our highway infrastructure. Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Highways Officer (East)

£31,586 - £34,314
This is an exciting opportunity in an ever-evolving service that is both challenging and rewarding. Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Rights of Way Assistant

£28,797 - £30,708
Within the Highways Directorate we are looking to appoint enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person to join the Service. Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy)

£46,731-£49,764
We are looking for an experienced professional to join North Northamptonshire Council as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy). Sheerness House, 41 Meadow Road, Kettering moving to Haylock House, Kettering Parkway, Kettering NN15 6EY, United Kingdom
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Electrical Engineer

Grade 9 £34,314 to £37,938 - Grade 10 £37,035 to £40,476 - Grade 11 £39,513 to £43,693 - Grade 12 £42,708 to £46,731 p.a.
The Construction Consultancy Services (CCS) team provide client-side construction consultancy services across a range of professional disciplines to d Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Senior Development Management Engineer

£37,938 - £44,711
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Head of Highways

£66,366 - £85,284 pa
Highway Operations is a large division within the Planning, Growth & Infrastructure. Enfield (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: Enfield London Borough Council

Director Highways, Transport & Waste Management

up to £120k
There for Nottinghamshire. There for each other. There for you. Nottinghamshire
Recruiter: Nottinghamshire County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW