Bridge Repairs Carmarthenshire County Borough Council
EDS was commissioned by Carmarthenshire County Council to carry out repairs to a two-span masonry arch bridge crossing the River Teifi in Newcastle Emlyn. The bridge is a Scheduled Monument and the site lies within both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
The works consisted of three main elements:
- Clearance of vegetation growth (trees) and debris to the upstream face of the structure in order to improve the water conveyance capacity of the structure
- Stone masonry repairs to the pier cutwater which had been damaged by the tree debris
- Re-pointing of the abutments on the river span with lime mortar.
All works required consents from Cadw and Natural Resources Wales (NRW). In addition, the bridge carries a busy single-lane road, so access for personnel and materials was limited to the embankment adjacent to a private café upstream. This required advance consultation and agreements between EDS, the client and the café owners to ensure their trade was not adversely affected while allowing site access.
Vegetation clearance was undertaken first, including the removal of tree trunk debris that had damaged the masonry cutwater. A hydraulic chainsaw was used, and all debris was removed from site in line with NRW’s stipulations, which did not allow storage on the banks or release downstream.
Damaged cutwater prior to and after repair.
With clearance complete, access was possible to the cutwater to enable masonry repair. Replacement stone was shaped on site to match the profile of the original. Once shaped, the cutwater was reconstructed with lime mortar. Strict handling and storage procedures were applied to the hydraulic lime to avoid polluting the watercourse and protect operatives. These included storage away from the water, readiness to remove materials to higher ground in the event of heavy rain, and correct PPE being worn at all times.
The river span abutments required substantial repointing. Access to the offside bank was a particular challenge, so a modular pontoon system was deployed to provide safe, dry passage for operatives and materials.
Vegetation growth through the joints was removed and all loose or defective mortar raked out. Lime mortar was then used to reinstate the joints, finished to match the surrounding areas.
The project was delivered on time and to budget. Relations with the café owner were well managed and no issues arose during the works. All activities were completed in line with consent requirements and the client’s specification. The client commented that EDS provided an excellent service to a very high standard.
Vegetation debris to be removed and completed wall re-pointing.
