Project Details

Description

The purpose of this determination is to assess the suite of works scheduled for the A898 Erskine Bridge (hereafter referred to as ‘the Bridge’) during the 2026 calendar year. These works form part of the South West (SW) Network Management Contract (NMC), and are essential to ensure the continued safe operation, structural integrity and heritage value of the Bridge as a key transport route across the River Clyde.

If there is the requirement for any additional works, not detailed within this document, a separate environmental assessment and determination will be undertaken.

Scope of Works

The following work activities will be undertaken:

External painting works

  • Blasting, painting, strengthening and weld repairs of the east and west cantilevers, with full containment in place.
  • Painting of external deck box and bridge towers.
  • Works undertaken from temporary platforms and gantries.

Plant and machinery will include the following: a blast pot, compressors, dehumidifiers, heaters, mixers, paint can crusher, paint spraying equipment, paint test equipment, power washer, shot blasting equipment, surveying equipment and vacuum, circular saw, jigsaw, lifting gear, saw, Stihl saw, charger, container, drill, gas products, grinder, heat gun, impact wrench, sander, shear wrench, small tools, surveying equipment, testing kit, ventilation and extraction systems and weld set.

Nosing joint replacement and surfacing trial/patching

  • Replacement of the south abutment nosing joint and surfacing application.
  • Removal of steel upstand and welding on new steel inserts.
  • Renewal of white lines and cyclic surfacing maintenance.

Plant and machinery will include the following: milling machines, welding gear and burning gear.

Cable re-tensioning

  • Investigations and surveys only to be undertaken within the 2025/26 financial year, with no construction activities required. Investigations are likely to include testing of welds.

Trough to deck welds remedial works

  • Refurbishing of the trough to deck welds following internal inspections, involving removal and repair of welds, retesting and repainting.

Plant and machinery will include the following: drills, gas products, grinder, heat gun, impact wrench, sander, shear wrench, small tools, surveying equipment, testing kit, ventilation and extraction systems, charger, container, weld set and gas monitors.

Inspection and servicing of access equipment

  • Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)-compliant inspection regime for underdeck gantries and tower access cradle.
  • Servicing will be undertaken continuously as per the recommendations made within the inspection reports.

Plant and machinery will include the following: hand tools and non-destructive testing equipment.

Carriageway resurfacing

  • Milling of asphalt layer;
  • Inspection and repair of waterproofing layer;
  • Laying of surface course and reinstatement of road markings.

Plant and machinery will include the following: milling machines, planers, rollers and hand tools.

Concrete repairs

  • Repairs to reinforced concrete piers due to defects including cracking and spalling.
  • Breaking out of concrete beneath the Bridge deck, cleaning exposed area with compressed air, sealing cracks, replacing reinforcement if required.
  • Hand application of cement-based mortar and protective coating.

Plant and machinery will include the following: hand tools, access equipment such as a mobile elevated moving platform (MEWP) or similar long armed boom.

Internal electrical maintenance and principal, general and safety inspections

  • Repairs to defective electrical components (lighting, navigation aids, cameras).
  • Principal, general and safety inspections.

Dehumidification/fire protection

  • Installation of dehumidification and fire protection for the cables.
  • Removal of the cable bands, wedge separation, inspection, repainting and shroud installation.

Plant and machinery will include: specialist access equipment, cable wedges, cranes, Hiabs.

Structural health monitoring

  • Installation of sensors and permanent survey equipment.
  • Access via deck box manholes.
  • Maintenance or installation of existing and new electronic sensors as required.

Plant and machinery will include the following: surveying equipment and associated fixings.

Met forecasting equipment

  • Met Office contracted to provide weather forecasts to inform gantry operations. No construction work is

Programme and Phasing

Works are anticipated to occur during both day and night-time working hours, with day working preferred unless carriageway closures are required.

Night-time works will include carriageway resurfacing, nosing joint replacement and associated surfacing trial/patching.

Traffic Management

Traffic management (TM) will vary with each individual works package, but will typically include lane closures, hard shoulder closures, and temporary traffic lights/ contraflow.

Cycleway/footway closures will be required at times, however, at least one cycleway/footway will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists throughout the duration of the works.

Location

The A898 Erskine Bridge spans the River Clyde, connecting Renfrewshire (southern extents) and West Dunbartonshire (northern extents). The Bridge is located at the following National Grid References (NGR) (Figure 1).

  • Northern extents: NS 46928 72752
  • Southern extents: NS 45788 72116
  • Midspan: NS 46218 72421