Dyer & Butler, a part of M Group Services, has successfully completed the refurbishment of a wheel timber bridge crossing the River Wandle, Wandsworth Town, on behalf of Network Rail.
Known as ‘The Sandwich Bridge’ due to its unique three-layer design, the bridge is comprised of a base layer of eight longitudinal timbers, with 20 traverse beams for the middle layer and eight longitudinal timbers for the top layer.
Dyer & Butler and the Network Rail Wessex Works Delivery Track team worked alongside each other to remove and replace eight life-expired softwood wheel timbers with more durable hardwood timbers. The project also included the installation of a new low-level GRP walkway that will enable safe future inspections and maintenance of the bridge’s wheel timber system.
The refurbishment of the bridge will also enable the removal of current speed restrictions resulting in fewer delays for Network Rail customers.
Chris Cornish, Works Delivery Route Programme Director at Network Rail Wessex, said: “This is another great example of Network Rail and its contractors working to deliver a project that will benefit passengers. Now the work is complete, we are able to remove an existing speed restriction which means a more reliable train service.”
Dyer & Butler Operations Manager Jeff Taylor commented: “This was a truly collaborative project that required detailed decision making in relation to the bridge’s unusual structure. During these unprecedented and challenging times, the project team worked under strict social distancing conditions to deliver safe and efficient works incident free, within the agreed time scales and with all key milestones met.”
About Dyer & Butler
Dyer & Butler is a multi-disciplined engineering services specialist focused on essential infrastructure including aviation, rail and highways, as well as medium scale complex engineering projects. Dyer & Butler is part of M Group Services. Visit www.dyerandbutler.co.uk for further information.
About M Group Services
M Group Services is a leading service provider to essential infrastructure markets in the UK and Ireland, delivering through 12 operating businesses across four divisions; Water, Energy, Transport and Telecom. All operating businesses are supported by M Group Services Plant & Fleet Solutions. For further information visit www.mgroupservices.com
Photo credit: Dyer & Butler
