A BRIDGE TOO FAR

Sonning Bridge, spanning the Thames between Oxfordshire and The Royal County of Berkshire has been structurally repaired using CINTEC Anchors.

Originally built in 1780 the bridge is now a Grade 2 Listed Building. Built out of red brick the bridge has eleven flat arches and a brick parapet. Originally intended for horses, carts and carriages the bridge is very narrow and is currently used on a single track basis.

The loadings imposed by current levels of traffic had caused the structure to spread and repairs were urgently needed.

In the past there had been traditional ties with plates installed, but due to the severity of the structural problems and the visual impact of the plates these methods were no longer considered to be appropriate.

CINTEC anchors were considered by the contractor, WT Specialist Contracts Ltd, to be the only answer as they would be totally hidden from view.

The Listed Buildings Officer and English Heritage concurred with this opinion and gave the Anchors their approvals.

Working in very difficult circumstances under the watchful eye of the NRA, WT had to ensure that not a drop of grout entered the Thames.

To acheive this they injected a gelling grout at the base of the arches just above the waterline. This provided an impervious barrier to the few drops of conventional grout that may ahve dripped out of the anchor socks into the voids within the structure of the bridge.

Having completed the job the bridge is now restored to its former glory, ready to take the rigours of the traffic into the next millennium.

PRESS CONTACT: IAN MUIR OR NICCI HAILES ON (0117) 9291969

Sonning Bridge, spanning the Thames between Oxfordshire and The Royal County of Berkshire has been structurally repaired using CINTEC Anchors.